It all began on a hot summer day in 2013. My family was doing a road trip through the Western United States and we were driving through Wyoming on our way to the Badlands. To the right of our car was a herd of buffalo unencumbered by fences. I was immediately in awe of the majestic creatures who so casually walked right in front of our car!
When we made it to the Badlands, we obviously had to stop in the gift shop, as any good tourist does. That's when I saw him.
A small stuffed buffalo sitting on a shelf full of them. I knew I had to have him. His black beady eyes begged me to take him home. Once I saw the price tag, however, I was hesitant. My parents could tell how enamored I was with him, so they agreed to pay half of the $40.
It didn't take me long to decide on a name for him. I named him after the city we were in when we saw the buffalo herd: Custer, Wyoming. The name fit him like a glove. I have since taken to calling him Custer Buster.
My first picture with Custer was right after I got him and my family posed for a panoramic of the Badlands. You can't see him very well in that picture, so I'll share one from shortly after that when we visited Mt. Rushmore.
Custer, me, and my dadLorna Spencer
Custer and I were inseparable. I slept with him at night and quickly discovered that he made the perfect neck pillow. I could put him behind my head or underneath my chin to prop me up. He was also perfect cuddling size.
When it came time for me to leave for college, I had to decide whether to bring Custer along. It was an easy choice to make: he was definitely coming. Along with being great to cuddle, Custer also provides emotional support. He holds years of tears. There was no way I would be able to adjust to college without him.
Custer posing for a selfieCallie Spencer
However, I accidentally forgot to pack him! I had to wait a week for him to arrive in the mail. It was pretty funny to pull him out of a cardboard box, although, I did feel sorry for him.
The next turning point in my life was my study abroad trip to Israel in the fall of 2017. Of course, Custer accompanied me then, as well. He was a constant reminder of my family and my home as I struggled to adapt to the strange new world of Israel.
Custer in his favorite placeCallie Spencer
After a while, Custer suffered some wear and tear. His fur was matted, he was not as fluffy as he used to be, and he smelled like sweat and tears. My mom knew how much I loved him and offered to clean him up for me. So, when I returned to college this semester, I left Custer behind in the capable hands of my mom.
In the week she had before she came to visit, she gave Custer a thorough cleaning. She opened him up and took out all his fluff, washed his hide, and filled him up with new fluff before stitching him up.
My first thought when I saw him was that he got buff! His fur is still irreparably matted, but that's okay. It reminds me of all the great times we've had together and the support he's provided over the years.
Custer comes with me everytime I stay the night somewhere, be it at my grandparent's house, at a hotel, or at a sleepover. I'm not ashamed of him. On the contrary, I proudly introduce him to my friends.
Custer hitching a ride to my hotelCallie Spencer
Some people may see it as immature for a 20-year-old to still sleep with a stuffed animal, but I don't think of him like that. He has become a friend to me. He's a perfect neck pillow, a great listener, a willing tear catcher, and he doesn't talk back! I don't see myself saying goodbye to Custer anytime soon.
