Hi all! If you’re new here, my name is Natalie, @thegolden_sonny‘s mom.
Every year I team up with Cali Fluff Co (Kayla) to create the Ralph Bandana. What started as a simple bandana to spread smiles and raise awareness for mental health has grown into something so much bigger, The Ralph Collection. This is our 4th year, and it only becomes more meaningful with time.
If this is your first time meeting the collection, let me tell you about Ralph.
Ralph was my older brother who I lost to mental illness a few years ago. He had the best sense of humor and truly put a smile on everyone’s face. He was my best friend, and I found myself laughing and smiling a bit less after he passed. Today, the moments and people that make me laugh or smile, I cherish all a little more. My hope is that you all can do the same.
The bandana launches in February, which is a special month for me and my family as we celebrate my brother’s birthday. On the 22nd, he would have turned 30. Ralph loved animals, and our family dog at the time became his best companion until his very last day. Dogs provide pure, unconditional love, they find joy with the simplest aspects of life.
This bandana means more to me than I could ever describe. I wish it was an understatement when I say Sonny saved my life when I experienced my own struggles. He brought me all of the smiles and sunshine through the darkest of times, and Sonny and I want to give back. We want to share the same smiles and light to all who need it and encourage you all to do the same.
This year’s print is sunshine themed. Because Sonny is such an important part of my own healing, I wanted to incorporate a sun into the collection too this year. The sun smileys felt like the perfect fit.
So, this is how the Ralph Collection came to be. Although simple, a smile is all a person needs sometimes.
My hope is that this collection serves as a reminder to all to be kind in honor of not only Ralph, but to all who we have lost. You never know what someone is carrying. Be the light. Be the sunshine. It can save a life.
As always, a special thank you to Cali Fluff Co. for working with me on this idea through the years. We appreciate all of the support on this collection. Whether you choose to purchase an item or not, please share photos of your pups (and yourself) smiling and or enjoying the sun using the hashtag #RalphSmiles and #bethesunshine.
I hope you all love this year’s collection as much as I do!
