If anyone had to describe me in a phrase, it would probably be, "giraffe-obsessed." One day, in fifth grade I thought to myself, "Hey, I like giraffes," and that's how it all began. I don't know why I suddenly thought that giraffes were so cool. Maybe it was their height or their print. But I do know for sure that I just really love giraffes.

I'm always so afraid that when I make a new friend, they will think my giraffe obsession is weird. Well, everyone does think it is a little bit out there, but no one has left my life because of it. Actually, everyone in my life has attributed to this obsession over giraffes, and whenever a friend sees a giraffe they think of me.

My collection ranges from receiving three of the same giraffe stuffed animal for my 18th birthday, to giraffe themed clothing and jewelry, to two very small handmade giraffe figurines from Germany. My parents support my giraffe obsession so much, that whenever my dad sees a giraffe I don't have yet, he has to buy it for me.

The obsession has left the childhood stage of just wanting giraffe stuffed animals of any shape and size. I now look for unique, "out of this world" giraffes. I won't just buy any giraffe. A giraffe needs to be calling my name. It has to be a distinctive giraffe. Some of the newest additions to my collection are a giraffe hat and a giraffe tattoo on my shoulder. The collection had gotten so big that I can't even keep count of how many giraffes there are in my life right now.

To have an obsession this crazy about giraffes, you would think this tiny fifth grader would've seen one in person before, but no. My giraffe obsession went on for seven years before I saw a giraffe for the first time. It was at the Franklin Park Zoo, in Boston. I had even called out of work that day to see a giraffe. Not only was I going to be seeing a giraffe, but I was also going to have a giraffe encounter, where I got to feed and pet Beau, the giraffe.

I remember it so vividly. Once I was through the gates of the zoo, I became a diva. I needed to see the giraffes, but I couldn't find them. I was so frustrated, but I had only been in the zoo for two minutes.

I finally decided to run up to a fence near a large fielded enclosure, for a better view of the zoo. Before I knew it, a giraffe ran across the field and I was crying. My three friends with me there were laughing, but hugging me. It had to be the best day of my life.

When I was first beginning high school, I thought to myself, "I should outgrow this childish obsession soon." But, now I'm in college, and I think my obsession is more special than ever. I'm still going to sleep with my favorite giraffe every night, and I'm still going to freak people out when they first meet me, with my famous line, "Do you know I have a giraffe obsession?" I'm going to embrace my giraffe obsession every day for the rest of my life, as I have since I was in fifth grade.