Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it?

I have been obsessed with fountain pens since I was a child.

Back in the 80s, we had the ink pot and we could fill up the cartridge on our own. It was so messy and I remember so many accidents. My fingers were blue on a daily basis, my mum’s carpet turned a very odd shade of brownish blue after I spilled about half a bottle, my school uniform was filled with stains but I loved my fountain pen and I never wanted to let go of it

My mum got me this burgundy colour fountain pen when I was in year 1 and it was so beautiful. The tip was so smooth, I could feel it sliding on the paper while I was writing. It was so satisfying.

It wasn’t anything special as all kids had the same ones. They were cheap and often turned into a weapon. Once you would shake it a little, ink would squirt out to everyone’s joy.

Even so, I loved mine and I would never part with it. It lasted years until one day when someone took my pencil case and smashed it outside the school 🤷🏼‍♀️ . No reason whatsoever but I was pretty much a geek and very shy and this turned me into an easy target.

I gave up on fountain pens until a couple of years ago when I changed my role at work and I went into a frenzy, stocking up on stationary l, being excited to be part of the big office.

My dad gifted my fiance a pen and fountain pen Parker set once and it was never used so I “borrowed” that one and got some ink reserves and I went back to my old love!

However, nowadays, my favourite piece is a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck gold coated classique fountain pen. It never leaves the house though. It is so precious and I only use it on the days I work from home or when I have to sign important documents

It is absolutely priceless for me and I can swear that every time I hold it, it inspires me. It is precious and I hope we will never part.