dear target, we all love you.

I know.

You’re thinking that you’re just a retailer who happened to choose a logo that looks like a bullseye that is the most perfect shade of red ever. And I know, you went through that phase with the Bullseye dog. Some of us loved him and some of did not, but we’ll just move on and forgive you and applaud you for trying.  Plus, you’ve given yourself the addition of the word Super to your name and who can argue with anyone called Super Anything?

I’m writing you today to tell you that you’re really mom’s best friend and I think we all secretly love you.  Okay, yes, I guess my love for you isn’t a secret at all considering you make it into my Instagram feed almost as often as my kids.

[Tweet “Dear @Target, you’re like my loyal BFF. #findingjoyintarget “]

Target, you are like the loyal best friend that we’ve always dreamed of having.

You’re always there. Open at 8 and closed at 10 and Holidays you’re open even more and sometimes then you even open up those cool middle lanes. You know like lane 14. That’s like a bonus lane. Whenever I get to pay in the lane between green side and blue side I know you’re really looking out for us.

So let’s just talk about this friendship that we have.

First, we all know the rules of this friendship. Like don’t wear khaki pants and that awesome red color as a shirt unless you want to be asked where to find the organic fruit roll ups or when the Halloween Costumes will be knocked down more in price. That’s awesome Target that you’ve claimed ownership of the wardrobe aspect of our friendship. There’s no competition there and I never have to ask what you’re wearing and the times where I mess up and wear red shirts I just become part of the team.

Because yes, I know where practically every square inch of everything is located in my Target. Not the new prototype, but the home base Target with the well worn path that avoids the once dollar but now deal section until the end. And that was so clever – start it as the dollar section and make it a fave and then add those new $3 items in the same area that still feel like the dollar bargain. Well played, well played.

Second,  this love really grew to new levels when you decided that linking arms with Starbucks was cool. For us moms? It was the best most awesome boldest you love us forever move ever. Yeah, yeah, yeah…I know we’re spending money. But now? Now I can sip that Caramel Macchiato while perusing your clearance section. And Target? You even made special little Target red cup holders that clip on for each cart.

That’s the extra mile of friendship, if you ask me. And yes, yes, I learned that the Tall Cup (who gets a Tall, for real?) will slip right down to the lid – so it’s even more awesome because I just know stick with the grande.

So you start off brilliant. Giving us sugar and caffeine and a smile of cheer. And then? Then the love really begins.

You just know us moms, Target.

Third, you know that we don’t want our kids in those enclosed germ filled Police Car looking carts with the mini basket because we had to give up valuable premium cart space so we can drive a faux Little Tykes car around the store. Oh no. Not you. You give us the Suburban of carts. A massive two seater, durable handle, extended version of a cart that one needs a Class B Driving Permit to steer. It could take it’s own parking spot outside or time zone in some states.

And you give us cart cleaning wipes.

(We love you forever for that.)

And sometimes I even remember  to grab that 12 pack of Coke that is the same brilliant shade of red that I put on the bottom of the cart. And when I don’t it probably just goes on the another one forgot the Coke tally chart in the back.

But let’s continue.

Fourth, you know how we love to have that moment where we just feel like we’re home. Target, you do that. I’m not sure how standing in an aisle with clearance end cap after clearance end cap can feel so wonderful, but Target, it does. I have to push and shove and wait with so many others who love you just so that I can find that nail polish that is now marked down to $3.48 from $3.99 and feel like I scored the deal of the century. Or a cool throw pillow that I don’t really need  but it’s $7.48 and it feels like almost nothing since it’s comparable in price to the Macchiato sitting in my red clippy cart thing.

You make us feel like we save money even when we buy things that we don’t need.

We’ll even forgive you again for knocking the 75% clearance down to 70% clearance. Wait. Not me. Target that one is still a bit bitter with me. I mean seriously 5% less? It’s all crap anyway at that point but it looks beautiful to all of us moms that are hunting for a bargain or a Halloween costume for next year. Bring it back.

But, I digress.

Fifth, you want me to save money and have patience for me when I don’t.

You understand so much that you ask me if I have your Cartwheel app and don’t get angry when I blush and say no and mumble something about missing the entire $1.28 I would have saved if I had scanned a bunch of products. You get me. You know I’m in a hurry and you don’t judge over my lack of couponing or downloading of your app.

In fact, just to make me feel better you print off coupons for things I just purchased. It’s like you’re magic.

And then I’m torn. Use them now? Because those things are also on sale. And I could save another $.75 and spend $6.49 more at Target but feel like I’m saving. And don’t even get me started on those Text Something Cool to Target to get a $5 off coupon if you spend $30 in this department.

You issue the challenge. I’ll spend that $30 because I want your coupon. Oh yeah.

Okay enough.

Sixth, Target, you’re like a break away from the crazy of the everyday. You give samples and let my kids have seconds.  And you always always keep that impulse item, which is just at my kid’s perfect height (you’re so good at that) just under $5. That’s it. And most of the time? It’s that or Tic Tacs. But, if you’re out of the orange ones, then no luck, we’re getting the Lego kit in the bag for $3.49 that will be soon dumped into the Lego graveyard of broken and discarded $49 sets.

When it rains magically there are umbrellas for sale by the door. When it’s Mother’s Day there are flowers. When I needed pumpkins you came through. Shovels? By the door. It’s crazy how well you know our needs. I mean, even down to the $5 bargain movies right by the checkouts. Brilliant.

I guess that’s it, Target.

You’re the best.

From me, the mom who Instagrams pictures of herself and her kids in Target all too often, to you.

#RachellovesTarget <-if AlexfromTarget gets his own hashtag I thought I should too. Or #FindingJoyinTarget

ps. you know those spend this much and get a $5 gift card deals? Could you just give me the $5 off?

pss. I even forgive you for the whole breach of security when my credit card numbers were stolen.

psss. If you can get me a preferred customer spot I’d love you more. After all, I finally exposed the truth of what was truly at the end of the rainbow.

[Tweet “Dear Target – we all love you. #findingjoyintarget “]

THIS IS TARGET.