I have had an armoire since 1990 that belonged to my grandfather. I also had a matching a night table for a long time, but I gave it to my brother. That way, we each have a part of our Pop!
It’s been through a lot (stuffed with clothes, some time in storage in my parent’s garage, multiple moves, and even an out-of-state one). I’ve always known that when I’m gone, it will be Niko’s. Last week, I asked him if he wanted it. He said yes, without hesitation. So we swapped.
Since we moved to Minnesota, he hasn’t had a dresser. His clothes hang in his closet, with the overflow living on shelves. His old dresser, the one we bought at Ikea before he was born, was perfect back then. It held baby supplies and was just the right height for a diaper changing table. We brought it with us to Minnesota, but it’s been sitting in the basement. We offered to move it into his room, but he wanted something else.
A few weeks after we moved, we went to an IKEA in Bloomington, across from the Mall of America. Niko had his eye on a fancy, super-expensive, custom dresser. We were actually prepared to buy it, until we found out they didn’t have all the parts. Thank goodness.
The armoire is not a light piece of furniture that can be moved easily (it’s very heavy). Once it finds a spot, that is it! So, to prepare it for a short move to Niko’s room, I had to take everything out (clothes and drawers) and then very slowly pushed and walked it to his room. Afterwards, Niko and Nina took his home clothes and folded them neatly for placement in the armoire. Niko then redid it, and organized it by color. Now, his closet only hangs his school clothes. It’s really nice seeing Niko put his clothes away after I bring the clean laundry upstairs.
A few weeks ago, Nina and I moved Niko’s bed to allow him more space in his bedroom. The armoire fit perfectly in a corner, and now we just need to measure another space so he can have a bookcase for all of his books.
Me, I got his shelves and those have my sweatpants, warm socks, and underwear. Everything else that was in my armoire (shorts and t-shirts) is folded nicely and are on the top shelf in my closet. If I do want a dresser, I don’t need anything fancy. I was actually thinking of asking Nina if she wants to give me hers, and she can get something new.
