American Girl has changed my life! From the time I was a little tot, dolls have always been my passion. I played with Barbies, Playmobil, and Polly Pockets for many years, until the day I got my first American Girl Doll at the age of 6: Kanani Akina, the Girl of the Year for 2011. It was love at first sight. She came with me everywhere, and soon my doll collection expanded. I have 8 American Girl dolls I play with every single day, and it is my number one hobby. From the traditional play, to crafting DIYs, and to filming stopmotions, I do everything with them. American Girl has always fueled my creativity and provided the things I need for this play. I would always come to the store to shop, play with the dolls, get their hair done, and eat at the cafe.

All of that changed when the store only minutes away from my house closed in March 2019. I was devastated. I was crying for days, feeling hopeless, and completely heartbroken. I wasn't the only one who was affected by this. My sister (10) and my two very good friends (14 and 13) are also doll lovers. Together, we all spend our time playing and enjoying our childhood instead of wasting time doing nothing in our rooms. With the closing of this store, we feel as if we can't do as much with our dolls anymore. Our love is slowly seeping away. The return of this store will rekindle our love and the passion of so many other girls, both children and teenagers that I have seen in this store. All families and doll owners need the help of Mattel, who owns and manages American Girl, to bring it back to Boston. The closest store is in New York, and not all of us can travel there.

Without this store, I fear that my friends and I may stop playing, something so painful for me to say. Although American Girl does have an online store, it is a very different and less special experience than going to the store and being able to see and touch all of the dolls and accessories. I fear that my own future children will not be able to experience what I did with my passion for dolls. I fear that technology may begin to control the minds of children nowadays. The return of the American Girl Doll Store in Boston will make me and girls all around New England, especially Massachusetts, incredibly happy. That's why we all, as a whole, ask for your help to bring back our second home: American Girl, back to our home.