I remember that day, just like it was yesterday. It was a cold but sunny November Saturday, when I got my first silicone wristband. I still don’t understand how I could have been so dense when the petit young lady came up to me as I paused at a bench in the park, to tie my left running shoe. She was dressed in running shorts and a tee shirt which said, “Silicone Forever.” It was written across the front of her shirt. I should have put two and two together but I was too busty… I mean too busy trying to fix my broken tee shirt… I mean shoe lace. 

This sweet girl had both her hands filled with gigantic silicone rubber bands and I noticed two or three on each of her wrists, but nothing seemed to click with me, except her tee shirt that expressed her feelings about a recent procedure that had changed her life in a big way, or at least that’s what kept running through my mind. It was a full figure slogan, I thought.

I finally stood up and smiled and asked her what she was doing with all those rubber bands. She looked at me with a look that was between duh and dumb; I realized immediately that I was missing something. So I said: “Oh, right, you work for a doctor and he had special collector’s rubber bands made up to promote and advertise the great work he does.” She broke out in a huge cackle kind of laugh that caught me off guard at first. As she continued to laugh she said: “No silly, I’m promoting next week’s 10K run here in the park and I’m giving away silicone bracelets to remind everyone about the race. Would you like one?” I took one, thanked her, put it on and off I went to finish my run. Every time I look at that silicone bracelet that’s hanging on a hook in my office, it reminds of that petit young lady and the doctor that does such wonderful work. (more…)

Sam and I had been best friends our entire lives. Our moms met while attending birthing classes and become instant friends. Since our mothers were so close it meant that we were forced to spend so much time together that we had no choice but to become best friends as well. For the next twenty years we went through the ups and downs of life, always leaning on each other for support. When one of us was going through heartbreak the first person we ran to was each other. I never saw Sam as anything besides my best friend, but one day that all changed. 

Shortly after my twentieth birthday I discovered that my boyfriend of six months had been cheating on me. Devastated I ran to my best friend Sam for support. Little did I know that Sam had fallen in love with me. He had done his best to hide it however, once he heard my news he confessed his feelings and told me that he wanted to be with me forever. 

As soon as I heard him tell me he loved me I knew I was in love with him as well. I responded to his admission by kissing him passionately. I then removed my favorite silicone wristband and placed it on his wrist. I told him that every time he looked at his wrist he would be reminded of my love for him.  (more…)

Since their debut in 1997 silicone wristbands have been taking the world by storm. Introduced by the Lance Armstrong Foundation as a way to raise money for charity, the message inscribed on the silicone bracelets is what made them really appealing. LIVESTRONG the yellow band reads. A powerful way to end a bout with cancer,cyclist Lance Armstrong has done just that.

Following a growing trend, companies have created their own silicone wristbands for every cause imaginable. From pink breast cancer awareness bracelets to red heart disease wristbands, there isn’t a man, woman, or child around who doesn’t own a band or two of their own.

Inspirational messages of every kind grace the front of silicone bracelets. If you can’t find one that you like, there is always the option of customizing the wristband with a message all your own. Bought in bulk and given out at birthday parties, children carry home a special souvenir that they can wear to school the next day.

A way to show their support for different charities, people purchase the silicone wristbands with the intention of donating part of the proceeds to their favorite organizations. Instantly recognizable by sight, the popular bracelets have even made it into the wardrobes of famous celebrities. (more…)