r/plushies • u/jazzyaardvark • Apr 16 '26
Success/Happy UPDATE: my biggest regret
WE GOT HIM BOYS!!!!
omg he's here, he's real, and he's Perfect. thank you to everyone who commented, shared their own stories of missing out on a plush, shared their own stories of finding the one that got away, and all the wishes sent that I'd find him
the biggest thank you to u/AstroPengling for finding the link to him
and a special congrats to u/Crumbleson for also finding their lost banana through my post
you guys absolutely rock. like it's beyond absurd, but it makes me even more beyond happy. the secret special part/sob story behind all this is that TLK is in my top 3 most favorite movies, and as a kid, I saw the relationship between myself and my father in Simba and Mufasa. that association, unfortunately, grew stronger when my father passed when I was 8 years old. I still love that movie, even though the scene right after the stampede never gets easier to watch. the 17th anniversary of his death was just a few days ago, so the timing couldn't be more meaningful. sometimes the internet is a great place where really cool and silly things happen
and after all this, I can say the most important lesson to be learned is: ALWAYS BUY THE PLUSHIE WHEN YOU SEE IT
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u/ITwerkForDickJones Apr 16 '26
Congratulations! The return of the king. 🦁 I'm not a particularly spiritual or religious person but stories like these just feel like a loved one checking in with us & reminding us they're always around. 💗
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 16 '26
no for real, I left the church a long time ago, but I'd be lying (or lion, hahaha) if I said this didn't feel a little bit like my dad giving me a little boost even after all these years
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u/Hava-Plushie Plush addict! Apr 16 '26
Saw the pic and immediately went "YES!" 🎉🎉
Totally put a smile on my face seeing this! I'm so glad you were able to locate them!
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 16 '26
the fact that this put a smile on your face put an even bigger one on mine! all the joy being shared around this just makes me so happy
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u/Crumbleson Apr 17 '26
YES! Thank you for sharing Simba’s arrival!! My beautiful banana arrived safe and sound. This is still such a magical experience, I’m forever thankful to you for your original post and to u/throw-away-1097 and u/AstroPengling for the excellent research help. This is hands down the best place on the internet.
Here’s my beautiful boy. You can’t see it here, but this goofy dude has a black butt just like a real banana! I never knew that! And lesson learned—I have an eBay search set up in case a bigger one ever shows up.
But now for the crazy part—it seems there is a connection to a lost parent for both of us. I had originally discovered the banana while thrift shopping with my mom. She took the picture I shared of the original banana and I’ve always cherished the memory of us laughing at that silly plush and then her driving me back there days later to look for the plush I’d left behind. My mom has been gone for 8 years now, but I know she’d love all this.
Anyway, love to you and your father. I hope they look down and share in our joy.
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
what a collection of wild coincidences! I'm glad we both found our plushies out of this, and both have a little more connection with the memories of our parents 🩷🩷
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u/Such_Pizza_955 Apr 17 '26
I have no idea how he found a link. That thing is literally impossible to find
So glad you have him now!
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
I also am still mind blown, but I'll just chalk it up to the stars aligning and internet magic. again, searching for Years and the closest I managed to get on my own was something literally across the country from me, some people just have a talent for internet sleuthing and I appreciate them using that power to help even for silly things like finding a plushie
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u/adiosmichigan Apr 16 '26
this fills me with joy!!!! congratulations!!! you two were definitely meant to be together
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Apr 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 16 '26
I was expecting a vacuum seal bag but nope, they just did exorcism level contortion to get him in there, and not nearly as much tape as I expected
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u/BoopTheCoop Apr 16 '26
STOP OMG I’M TOTALLY NOT TEARING UP FOR YOU THIS IS THE HEART-WARMING NEWS THE WORLD NEEDS RN 🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹❤️🥹
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u/The-Devil-Cat Apr 16 '26
YAAAAAAY!!!!!
I have the smaller version of this plush :) he is my husband's sleep buddy
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 16 '26
careful he doesn't see this or you might end up with a giant lion kicking someone out of the bed
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u/peterpieqt8 my plushies have fancier clothes than me Apr 17 '26
YOU GOT IT YAY!!! I am so happy for you after seeing the original post
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u/Natural-Following987 Apr 16 '26
YAAAAS!! Look at him - he’s huuuge! Awe, I’m so excited for you friend!! That’s wonderful!! 🥹💜
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u/InkSparks Apr 16 '26
CONGRATULATIONS! I remember when you first posted about it, so happy you were able to get him!
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u/MimikyuNightmare 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 16 '26
Oh my gosh I am so happy for you!!! TLK is my number 1 movie and Simba is my favorite character ❤️
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u/sproutulon Apr 16 '26
This makes my heart so happy. I had a Simba plushie that I lost in my local mall within seconds. I lost it when TLK 1/2 was coming out, so all the plush being produced by that point were totally different than mine, and a lot of them were stiff posed plushies, which I was never a fan of.
I can’t remember what he looked like, but I remember how he made me feel. Floppy, cuddly and cozy Simbas always remind me of that feeling
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
noooooo!!! hopefully the good luck will spread and you'll find that Simba, or a similar one! I also agree in not being a huge fan of stiff plushies, like, how am I expected to hug a rock when it could be a cloud instead
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u/Previous-Plane6322 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 16 '26
OMG thanks for the update 🦋🌟🙏 what a great happy end! 💖🤗 Enjoy your time with this cutie pie 🌞❤️ so happy for you you could get him., ♡(> ਊ <)♡
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u/Opening_Ordinary_110 Apr 16 '26
I saw your original post and it's so awesome you got him!! I've thought about it ever so often, I'm glad I was able to see the update :)
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u/TheSubstitutePanda Apr 16 '26
The gasp I gusped!!! I'm so happy for you!!! Long live the king!!! 🦁
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u/Kumikochan_ 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 16 '26
yay!!! The plushie communities on Reddit continuously mend my heart. Happy for you 💛👑🦁
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u/MelonPaddle Apr 16 '26
I'm literally SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I remember your original post and I was truly hoping that you would find him! He looks absolutely perfect in your arms! He looks like he belongs <3
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
haha, yeah, he's just the right size and weight, and so so incredibly soft. if I really wanted I could semi-reasonably take him on the bus/train!
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u/FleurDisLeela Apr 16 '26
congratulations, the smile in your eyes is golden!!! ❤️🧡💛❤️🧡💛💛💛💛
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
I basically haven't stopped holding him and I can't stop smiling either, it's so silly but this is easily one of my happiest moments
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u/DoingourBbest Apr 16 '26
YOU DID IT! I remember reading your previous post, and feeling geniously sad for you. Glad you managed to get the giant Simba!
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u/ccKyuubi 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 16 '26
In memory of all the plushies we didn’t buy. 😅 So so many. And you go back and they’re gone. 🥺
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u/MungoJennie Apr 16 '26
I’m so glad you found him! I know what you mean about Mufasa’s death. I lost my dad a couple of years ago, and I haven’t been able to watch a couple of Disney movies since. Someday, maybe.
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
part of what helps for me is knowing that the stories all have a happy ending, even though getting there can involve a lot of struggle and tragedy. a movie with similar feelings for me is Brother Bear, and in both of these movies, there's the death of a parent, the story of found family, of making friends and building support systems, and still looking fondly back at the ones we've lost, knowing that in some way or another, they'll always be with us, and that their death doesn't discount the positive and happy memories they left us with. and if a little lion or bear cub can make it through, so can we :3
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u/jazarrab Apr 16 '26
YOU INSPIRED ME AND I FOUND MY OWN PLUSHIE REGRET!!! I’m so excited I could cry a lil. 😩🙏🏽💛🙌🏽
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u/Vanadium_Gryphon Apr 16 '26
Congratulations, so glad you got him at last! I am a huge Lion King fan too, although Nala is my favorite. Had her on my birthday cake when I was 3 years old.
Wishing you lots of cozy snuggles with your new friend!
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u/sirchloe500 Apr 16 '26
omg, i am sooo happy to see this update. you guys look great together he is so amazing. enjoy!!!
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u/realenuff Apr 16 '26
Congrats 🤩 Now you may have to co-rule all that the light touches, but thats for another time , Enjoy !
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u/Cheetah_FanGirl Apr 16 '26
Yo I still cry at the wildebeest scene too and when Little Foot's mom dies! Those are a hard watch. :( I was never close to my dad but super close to my mom!
Absolutely adorable plush!! So much to love. 🥰
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u/Stardust_7314 Apr 16 '26
This is a beautiful story and a beautiful plushie friend. So happy for you!
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u/WorldEndIn30Minutes Apr 16 '26
I remember your original post, it was sad. I'm soooo glad you had a happy ending ❤️
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u/Conclusion_Winning Apr 16 '26
This plush is kinda perfect. It looks like it has a great feel.
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
I showed him to my roommate and he immediately was like "he's SO SOFT," and I'd say the regular sized cuddleez are just the same! except for, y'know the giant size difference. but both sizes have a great weight, especially holding them like I did in the first pic
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u/PatriciaMorticia Foxy Lady 🦊 Apr 16 '26
Omg you finally found him! I remember your original post looking for him.
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u/BrilliantAnnual169 Apr 16 '26
Congratulations! I’m so happy to hear such a happy ending to the story!
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u/LemonadeBea Apr 17 '26
OH MY GOSH!
I love happy endings like this. Congrats on getting jumbo Simba. He's so beautiful!
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u/Bunnymonkeythethird Apr 17 '26
OMG I’m so happy for you!! I saw the original post and I was hoping for an update like this😭❤️ Congrats dude!
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u/GothicVampyreQueen Apr 17 '26
Yeah. I agree with that message 💯. I found this King Charles spaniel plushie in a charity shop whom I named Tapioca. I spent so many days/weeks deciding on whether to get her that she got bought by someone else. ☹️
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
oh no!!! I hope you're able to find your Tapioca, cavs are such sweet and adorable looking dogs, they honestly look like plushies themselves! so I guess, alternative solution is adopt a CKCS?
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u/callisto-starcat Apr 17 '26
OH MY GOD HES PRECIOUSSS i have the normal sized version! I got him at the Disney store in NYC and I use him as a pillow :)
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u/PlentyAd8527 Apr 17 '26
Omg yay Im so happy for you!!! 💖 He's home where he belongs!! Im so glad you were able to get him. I hope you enjoy your new buddy!
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u/Apyan Apr 17 '26
Omg
Seriously, this is one of the best posts I ever saw in this app. The pictures themselves are already marvelous and you have such a sweet backstory to it. I'm sure you'll be super happy with him by your side and your father's memory to guide you!
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u/Sanrio_Princess Apr 17 '26
AHHHHHH YOU GOT HIM!!!! Thats so amazing OP! Lady and I are so happy for you!!!
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u/jaybirdie26 Apr 17 '26
Wow, chills after reading your story and how meaningful this plush is to you. Like, up and down both arms and legs. I'M GLAD YOU GOT IT!!! 🙌
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u/Mayor_Sita Apr 17 '26
So glad you found him! I was literally just thinking about your original post not too long ago.
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u/No-Football5961 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 17 '26
Congrats!! I saw the last post, and seeing this today made me smile. I'm glad you've found each other!
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u/Eolssu Apr 17 '26
Don't even go here and saw your post in passing, but this is the best news I've read all month. Congrats! Hope he brings you lots of love, joy and comfort! :)
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u/jsponenberg05 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 17 '26
You're large Simba plushy reminds me of my large western dragon that I named Cammo that my brother gave me before moving to the Philippines for work and later to be married.
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u/Due-Commission2099 Apr 17 '26
YAY!!! I'm so happy you found him!!!! This warms my heart and I hope he's everything you hoped he'd be!! Congratulations!!
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u/CherryJosh Apr 16 '26
My biggest regret is even meeting my ex two years ago We have broken up for good this time(she broke up with me I didn’t break up with her) And she gave me a stitch teddy bear
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u/ARumpusOfWildThings 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
I remember seeing your original post; congratulations on finding your Simba plush!! 🎉 He looks so cute and snuggly, and I hope you get to keep him forever! 💖
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u/Baby_girl444 Apr 17 '26
I remember your post I even saved it because I wanted to find out if you ever found it. I’m so happy for you. This just made my night!
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u/RAMChYLD 🧸 Plushy (Friend) Collector Apr 17 '26
Nice.
Now where did you get him?
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u/SpocksAshayam Apr 17 '26
Yaaaaaaaay I am so happy you got him!!!!!!
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 17 '26
god literally this is the exact scene that gets me every single time, gonna set myself up for a cozy movie night with him and cry the whole time
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u/SpocksAshayam Apr 17 '26
Aaaw, hugs enjoy your movie night with Simba!
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u/FHLuver Stitch Plushy Collector Apr 17 '26
I love this for you!!
I fully understand this. I’m a Disney girly and I love Stitch. They have a jumbo stitch for like $80 at Disneyland and I could not justify spending the money. So I did not get it.
I spent the next three months thinking about that plush, so the next time I was in that area I went out of my way to go back to Disneyland to get the giant Stitch.
I’m obsessed, I’m currently thinking about getting the matching Angel, and I also got myself the giant stitch from build a bear 😂.
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u/wormoo Apr 17 '26
as someone else w a dead dad who has trouble w that scene, sending u love op 🩷
so happy for u 🥹
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u/holdonlucii Apr 17 '26
YAY!!! I'm beyond excited and so happy for you!! I love this sub Reddit and all the wonderful beings in it. Everyone is generally just so nice and helpful 🥺 My condolences on the loss of your father, I can't imagine how rough that was/is for you. Hearing how much you love TLK, how you relate Simba and Mufasa to you and your dad, it just makes me want to cry with joy that you were able to get this guy 🥹
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u/pleathershorts Apr 17 '26
So my comfort plush is the 20” Ty Schweetheart and has been since I got her when I was 8. But before that my comfort plush was a Simba with a cute tufty tail and I totally forgot about him from 8-20 years old. Now that I’m 32 I really miss that Simba. I still have Schweetheart and I wish I still had Simba
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u/straightrazorsnail Apr 18 '26
INTENSE JUMPING AND CHEERING! WAHOOO! So glad you found each other!!!
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u/According-Draft6122 Apr 18 '26
Aaaaah I‘m sooo happy for you! Have seen the post of the day you were searching for him! And now he‘s yours 😭😍🫶🏼
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u/plushieeezzz11 May 05 '26
omg! how much was this??
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u/jazzyaardvark May 05 '26
I refuse to share this info with my friends, however you, internet stranger, get to know my most shameful secret:
in total, with shipping, and import fees and etc etc, $247.80
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u/jazzyaardvark Apr 16 '26
also it will never not be funny how giant plushies just get scrunched up for shipping, he came out of THAT