Ok...who here doesn't like Target? Don't even bother raising your hand if you don't; simply click on the "x" at the corner of this screen and see yourself out...JUST KIDDING! Like I said before, all of you are welcome here no matter whether you're insanely obsessed with Target, like me, or not. That being said, I sometimes have a hard time understanding why someone wouldn't like Target, though...I mean, seriously, the place is like the mother Mecca of all superstores. The baby's out of diapers and wipes? Go to Target. Need a last minute bathing suit find before your vacation? Go to Target. Forgot to pick up that birthday present for little Sally's friend in ballet class? Go to Target. Re-decorating your living room? Go to Target. Under the weather? Go to Target. Coping with a break-up? Seriously...go to Target! Need an escape from your family? GO. TO. TARGET! The place will change your mood instantly. Add in their wonderful coupon offers, THE amazing Cartwheel App, and the 5% Red Card discount and you've discovered something relatively close to paradise.
I must find myself there at LEAST two times a week. I don't know why, please don't ask, because I most definitely do NOT need another $25 insulated water bottle or a trendy, new beach bag but I do know that for some magical reason, I still manage to discover new things every time I go. At this point in my life, it doesn't even matter if I'm wrangling three children while strolling down the aisles of goodness. It's weird, you know? Their whines and cries seem to fade away as I focus my attention on all the beauty that is Target...wait...why is that woman looking at me like that? What is that screeching sound? Oh...oh wait...I'm sorry...it's just my 3 year old. He's laid out on the floor, screaming, because somehow, unbeknownst to me, I skipped the toy section entirely. We're fine. Keep walking, Lady, and mind your own business.
My husband and I don't see eye-to-eye on this at all. He's an avid Wal-Mart shopper <gasp> I know I know, I am just as shocked as you are! I mean, I do understand the logistics of his decision though. In our town, the Wal-Mart is much closer to our home and, I will admit, Wal-Mart's prices do beat out Target's on a lot of items, but still!!! On the weekends, in between chauffeuring the children to and from various activities, we usually have to make a pit stop at one of the above locations to pick up a few necessities and, in deciding, it becomes The Ultimate Stare-Down in the front seat of our Odyssey to determine who's super store will win. Not going to lie, it's not pretty. That man has eyes of steel, I tell ya.
There's just a feeling I get in Target; a feeling of pure joy, excitement, and new possibilities! Even the unsaid connection with other Target shoppers: the sweet, understanding nods of support as your child has their umpteenth meltdown or the random friendships I make in the greeting card section or even the mini therapy sessions in the midst of baby items: "Is your baby sleeping through the night? No? Neither is our's. Lord grant us strength! Have a great day."
I can't speak on behalf of all of us, but I can speak for myself. It's the small things in life that rejuvenate me and keep me sane. So, the next time you're wandering the aisles of your local Target and happen to see a frazzled momma in stain covered yoga pants and a top knot of hair completely askew, trying to balance a Starbucks coffee and her fussy infant, with eyes wide with amazement and a smile on her face...smile back! That woman is in all her glory!
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