-a worn and tattered old copy of Lolita, which inspired me to make this list. given to me by a long-term admirer who has nice hair and draws cartoons. I read this copy of this novel for the most important project of my high school career - my grade 12 English ISU (essentially the secondary school equivalent of a thesis) - and got a mark of 100 on the essay. (I brag about this shamelessly to anyone who will listen, so, my apologies if I’ve already talked your ear off about said essay.)

-a pastel- and milky coffee-colored shawl knitted by my great-uncle (who passed away in December 2010) for my grandmother (who passed away in October 2010). when they were cleaning out her house, I asked if they would save any Ev-knit scarves for me. they gave me the one she used to wear all the time for warmth. it smells like hot meals and cups of tea and soap opera marathons and nostalgic perfume.

-a big round yellow mug. Cadence and I each bought the same one while spending the day perusing IKEA + Crate & Barrel together. we refer to them as our “friendship mugs.” I use mine all the time for delicious hot beverages, including the wonderful green tea she bought me for Christmas.

-a very vivid rainbow wristcuff. my first-ever Etsy purchase, bought to wear to my first-ever Pride, just days after coming out as bi. it has accompanied me to every Pride since, not to mention several other queer events.

-a worn and tattered, illustrated love poem scribed for me by my first girlfriend, who was (and is) a gorgeous poet and artist. it contains such gems as “i once was a was, but now i be” and a drawing of her history teacher yelling at her for skipping class to buy me flowers. my cat peed on this poem (literally; i’m not joking) and i dried it out and kept it because it is, perhaps, the first major artifact of my romantic life.

-a sweater my grandmother made me for my first day of grade one. the buttons are miniature school supplies - rulers, pencils, apples. it still fits and it’s still cozy as hell.