Delaney Cole - Just Like You #21

I wish I could say that I grew up reading all of the American Girl books and that they were the reason I got into the dolls... but I didn't. I know I did read a few of them as a kid, but the only one that really stands out in my mind is Meet Felicity, and it's only because it was mainly about a horse. I was a hardcore My Little Pony lover as a kid and it was my dream to grow up, get a good paying job, and buy a horse (which unfortunately never happened lol).

What I do remember "reading" very regularly were the American Girl doll catalogs, and in particular, the American Girl of Today (My American Girl / Just Like You / Truly Me) sections. I practically had them memorized. One of the spreads I remember especially well was the 2001 version of the Just Like You doll chart. That year, American Girl introduced Just Like You #21, and she had curly hair. I found this pretty exciting, because up to that point, most of the dolls typically came in one hairstyle: stick straight hair with pie bangs. As someone who struggled with thick and curly/wavy hair and wished my hair were more like my classmates' thinner and straighter hair, I loved seeing the new wig style!

Just Like You #21 and her new curls!

For a long time, Just Like You #21 had been a doll that I'd always wanted, but never felt ready to pull the trigger on. I think in my earliest days of collecting, I was distracted by too many other options -- limited time Girls of the Year, custom projects like my mini me, or historical dolls and their wide variety of outfits and accessories. I'd assumed the Just Like You dolls would always be available, so they became a lower priority. ...And then American Girl changed #21 slightly to remove her pin curls, and began retiring the dolls I'd thought would be a constant. I like #21 best with her pin curls, so she became a lower priority after the change.

Over the years, I've watched people post their #21s on AGIG, and every time, I've tried to convince myself that although #21 is cute, I didn't really need her. At the same time, she was one I tended to "check" for on secondhand sites, just in case a really nice one ever popped up for a good price.

...And then one finally did!

I spotted a Just Like You #21 from 2008, NEW IN BOX, WITH her pin curls still attached, for HALF of what she usually seems to go for. I GRABBED her!

Just Like You #21 in all her pin curly glory!

This doll is worth every penny. She is so stinking CUTE -- especially with her slight head tilt! She's like sunshine personified. Her pin curls are so sweet and I love the twist-into-pigtails hairstyle. What's really nice about this particular one is she has the older style hazel eyes that are a little lighter and more green. The darker hazel eyes drive me nuts sometimes, because I have a hard time seeing the pupils and making sure the doll is looking straight at the camera. I remember struggling sometimes when taking photos of Isabelle.

I love her hair so much! Her pigtails and pin curls are SO CUTE!

I decided to name her Delaney. I wanted something summer-y (but not "Summer" since AG already snatched it) and I've always thought "Delaney" sounded beach-y or ocean-y -- probably because I'm used to hearing about Doheny State Beach in Southern California, which sounds similar. I decided her last name would be Cole and she'd be a cousin of Lizzie's. Are pin curls genetic? No. But maybe Delaney liked seeing her older cousin's hair styled like that and adopted the look, too.

I think she'll be related to Lizzie through her dad (each having a Cole brother as a father), and related to Megan and Mia through her mom (sister to both of their dads). Some people like having their dolls be classmates or neighborhood friends; I love making mine part of large families (probably because I grew up with LOTS of aunts, uncles, and cousins).

One of these days I'll have to make a chart with all of these crazy connections lol...

I'm not sure what Delaney's story will be yet. So far, I think she'll be a huge fan of pumpkin pie but surprisingly not big on PSLs. Instead, she prefers salted caramel, maple, or smoked butterscotch coffee drinks. She gets really excited whenever any holiday approaches, but especially loves Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. She starts planning her Halloween costumes as soon as the 4th of July is over, but doesn't actually start working on them until October 1st, when she gives herself a deadline to make a final decision on what costume she wants to make. Then she's usually scrambling to finish everything in time for the 31st. She's much better at crafting than sewing, so her mom usually helps her with that part. Her dad likes to help where he can, too -- especially when the job calls for a power tool!

I'm so glad to have her in my collection! Welcome, Delaney! :)

#DelaneyCole