Tori's Baby Romper

One night, I was tucking my goddaughter Tori into bed when I started telling her about my “Tori Treasures” box, which contains all the cards, gifts, and photos she’s given me over the last few years.

“And you know what I love? I kept a green-and-white striped romper that you wore when you were little!”

Her response surprised me. “I want to wear it!”

I laughed. “Sweetie, you wore that outfit when you were one year old. You won’t fit into it now!”

But she was determined. “I want to wear it!” She repeated.

“You won’t fit into it,” I assured her. “But I will show you it tomorrow! It’s so cute and little!”

The next afternoon, I brought Tori her adorable romper so she could see how small she used to be!

Once again, she wanted to try it on. So I let her, thinking she’d only fit her arm in a sleeve or something.

But as she put her legs into the pants, slipped her arms into the sleeves, and finally asked me to button her up, my shock grew. To my utter disbelief, two months shy of her fourth birthday, Tori fit into an outfit she had worn at age one.

Tori’s mom was less surprised, noting that while she’s grown in height, she’s always been a pretty thin girl. She also reminded me that the romper was fairly loose on her as a baby. So while the full-length pants had now become capris, the material still fit around her torso and limbs.

My initial shock was replaced with delight as I watched my goddaughter respond with pure joy.

She jumped up and down with glee, running to show her grandma. “Look! It still fits me! And I can even walk!”

That day, Tori proudly showed off the romper to anyone she could. And the more I thought about her response, the more I wondered if she was revealing a longing in all of us.

We live in a world of constant change. When we are younger, we often try new foods, take up new hobbies, learn new subjects, and make new friends.

As we grow older, change takes other forms—we change majors, roommates, jobs, and living situations.

Change is a part of life. But sometimes, when things change too quickly or unexpectedly, we feel unsettled.

It’s a normal human response to want some things to remain the same.

What is something you’ve held onto as you’ve moved homes, changed jobs, and formed new relationships? Maybe it’s your loyalty to a particular sports team. Maybe it’s a daily routine that keeps you grounded. Perhaps it’s a physical object like your favorite mug or blanket to cozy up with.

Even more than the tangible objects we hold onto, the aspects of our character and identity that have remained steadfast are worth noticing and celebrating. In a world obsessed with constant growth and self-improvement, these unchanged things are increasingly rare.

Just as Tori was excited to discover that she still fit in her baby outfit, it’s comforting to realize we haven’t lost some parts of ourselves, even as we’ve grown older.

I invite you to reflect on this question: What are the parts of me that have remained the same, even as seasons change?

Maybe it’s a sense of wonder you’ve held onto, even as you’ve faced chronic illness or pain. You find beauty in the smallest things—a butterfly's wings, a child’s giggle, a stranger’s smile. And that beauty carries you through the hardest days.

Perhaps it’s a strong sense of right and wrong that you’ve held onto since you were a child. The same person who called out “this is unfair” when someone hogged the swings on the playground is now raising her voice against injustice in her community.

Maybe it’s a steadfast belief in human goodness that has always guided you. And though some individuals have let you down, you haven’t lost your faith in humanity. You still approach every person you meet with kindness and grace, assuming good intent.

Take some time to honor this part of yourself that has remained through every change you’ve faced. Tell a friend about this realization—and ask them to answer the question for themselves. May we take a page from Tori’s book—joyfully sharing the parts of ourselves that still fit, even after all this time.

In a world full of change, may we become people who celebrate the good and beautiful things that don’t.

Thank you for reading Crafting a Life of Love. My mission is to help you uncover meaning, hope, and love in the stories of everyday life. If this story encouraged you, please share it with a friend!

Share