Dear Colgate...

To Whom it May Concern:

My husband and I met when he was 12, and I was 11. We both came from military families, and ended up in WA where we grew to be very good friends. Our families were friends, we attended the same church, were both homeschooled, did camps together as campers then leaders, played music together for our youth group, and many other things. We knew each other well, and had always enjoyed each other's company.

On the night of his graduation party, I barely 18, he told me he loved me. It was a night I will never forget. In the 7 years we'd known each other, it was the first time we'd ever even hugged each other. Neither of us had ever seen anyone else. Everything about it was so new and wonderful; I still remember how he and everything around us was that night, and can picture it well. The sound of his voice, the smell of the fresh night air, the feel of his arms wrapped around me for the first time, and his scent. Unfortunately, it was also declared only two weeks before my family was to move again - separating us by 2,000 miles. Despite the distance, we still continued with our newfound relationship.

It was very difficult, to say the least. We were lucky to be able to see each other once every six months or so. Every time we finally saw each other again, I cannot even describe to you how comforting it was to be around him again, to be able to hold hands and embrace each other, to see his face again. A year went by, and he made the decision to join the U.S. Air Force. I got to travel to WA to see him again before he left for BMT (Basic Military Training). I remember the night before he left, I cried on his shoulder for a long time, unsure of the next time I'd be able to see him again. Little did I know the role that the aroma of his anti-perspirant would play in the upcoming months.

BMT usually lasts 8 weeks, but he came down with pneumonia while there, ended up in the hospital, and it took a long time for him to recover. He was there for 12 weeks. When he graduated boot camp, his family and I got to see him for four days. It was a bittersweet time, I was unable to talk to him much or touch him, but it was so amazing to see him once more. Tech school came after, and that lasted another 8 weeks. Once, during that time, I was in a store, and I glanced down and saw the deodorant I knew he wore - the Speed Stick Fresh. The original one. Not the power one. I feel a little foolish to admit it, but I reached down and took it, and smelled it. It instantly brought tears to my eyes, it was such a familiar scent, I almost felt as though he were near me again. I quickly shoved it back and vowed not to do that again.

About a week into December, tech school was over and he was assigned his first duty station to Alaska. He spent a couple weeks with his family around Christmas, and I was able to travel to join him there. He proposed the day after Christmas. I am sure you will understand just how joyful we were, absolutely exhilarated. I had never known such intense, profound happiness before in my life. The day he was to leave came far too soon, and we had to say goodbye, yet again. We were still uncertain as to when we would finally be able to get married. We went our separate ways, and tried eagerly to set a date.

Due to military obligations, and our families all being so far apart, we had to extend the wedding date an extra three months. We believe in short engagements, we had never so much as kissed one another, or even another person in both of our lives, and each of us had made a commitment a long time ago to save our first kiss (ever!) for marriage. So naturally, we wanted to be married as soon as possible. I was broken-hearted when I found out we would have to wait another 3 months. I longed to see him again, I missed him terribly. I was so SICK of being separated from him. He often sent me flowers during our engagement, and on my birthday, he sent me a little container with a note in it. As soon as I opened the container, I sat down and began to weep, because that smell that I had come to love so much, the Speed Stick Fresh (Original) scent, was wafting from the container.

We were married June 25th, 2010, in the beautiful, great Alaskan outdoors, at a bed and breakfast. I still revel in the fact sometimes that I can kiss him now. Our married lives have been so amazing. We have been married 2 and a half years, and have a 15 month old little boy who is so precious to us.

About a month ago, my dear husband told me he needed deodorant. So, on a routine shopping trip, I looked for it, the Speed Stick Fresh (Original) but could not find it. I've searched every store I can think of here, and it is nowhere to be found. I did some research and saw rumors that it had been discontinued. Is this true? Why has it been discontinued?

I actually teared up when I discovered this, and it makes me sad every time I think about it. This is the smell that I've known and loved since my husband and I first started dating. Surely you must know smell can be a very powerful thing. To me, it has been my husband's scent for as long as I can remember him, and I am very distressed to find that I may not smell it ever again. We have a stick saved but who knows how long that will last? Is there any possible way for you to bring it back? We live in a world of so much change, especially being in the military. I don't know about you, but I am not the biggest fan of change. I think we all want something constant, that we can be sure is there and that is familiar and comforting amidst all the change. For me, I just want that smell again. Please...I am begging you...bring it back.

Regards,

Erin M.