an urgent plea to ann taylor

Dear Ann,

Where do I even begin? Tuesday, I really needed you Ann. I needed your encouragement - how you always make me look good and feel good, no matter what size I am. Its therapy for me to be in your presence. Just to breathe in the smell of quality apparel, experience customer service at its best, and have outfits already placed together lovingly. When I'm with you, I don't have to worry if one red will match another, or if a certain jacket will match a pair of pants -you have done all the work for me. For that I am truly grateful. Ann- girl - you've always been there for me. Remember when we met for the first time. It was May 2002. I had just broken up with Blonde Guy and I felt so lost. He had burned a hole in my heart and at the same time, my income tax return was burning a hole in my pocket. A woman scorned + disposable income = major emotional spending spree. Oh Ann, the moment I walked in the doors I knew we would be BFF's. We spent hours (I can't even remember how long I was in there, but it was a long time) together. I couldn't decide what to get, but don't for one minute think it was because you lacked anything. You simply had so much to offer I couldn't decide. You should know by now that I'm just indecisive. You could never be anything less than perfect Ann Taylor. Don't let anyone ever tell you any differently either. You made spending $330 in one pop so easy I knew that we would be together forever. You do remember the time I was singing in Brian and Vicky's wedding and needed a dress don't you? Who did I run straight to for guidance? It was you Ann who showed me the perfect dress for the occasion. A hot little turquoise number and it was even a size smaller than I normally wore! You even had a pair of heels with turquoise accents that complimented the dress ever so delightfully. I just had to get them. A moment of weakness I guess. I'll never forget how much they cost. $75.00. The most I had ever spent on a pair of shoes. Remember, hubby (when he wasn't hubby yet) was with me and tried to talk me out of buying the shoes. What does he know? I am still a smidge disappointed that you sold my dress to that other girl at the wedding. She didn't look halfway as lovely as I. I told myself that everyone would see my dress first since I was singing and that that other girl was just making a concerted effort to steal my BFF for herself. Ann, I'm so glad you weren't deceived by her hijinks. I forgive you. You are such a faithful friend Ann. I'm afraid I have to ask your forgiveness for not coming to visit you. Its not because I don't love you - in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Unfortunately, something is trying to compete for your BFF status. That something is (cue evil music)...Wal-Mart. Their plan is to launch an coup effort to overthrow the world and I can see straight through it. Kathie Lee may have been hypnotized by their oozing sentiments, but not me. No siree, not me.

I write all this to say...Ann, for the love of a dear and faithful friend, please lower your prices so that I can hang out with you more. I've had to make friends with the likes of JCPenney, Sears, and New York & Co. - don't get me wrong, they are great girls - but they don't hold a candle to you. These girls let me down on Tuesday though Ann. As I strolled through Po-Dunk Mall looking at all the cheap imitations, I couldn't help but mourn your absence. Ann, I am dying a slow death.

With the price of gas and food on the rise, relief has to come from somewhere.

Please come through for me Ann Taylor. You're my only hope.

I

Yours truly,

Caroline