DARE COUNTY, N.C. — Melody McBride creates special keepsakes for people dealing with grief.   

With her business, Huggable Memories, she crafts teddy bears from the clothing of loved ones who have passed away. 

What You Need to Know

Melody McBribe makes special keepsakes for people through her business

Through her business, Huggable Memories, she creates teddy bears out of clothing of people who have passed away

Her first bear was her own, which she made after losing her father in 2013

Clients bring her things like ties, t-shirts and even bathrobes, to turn into a sweet reminder of the person they've lost.

McBride's first bear was her own. She made it after her father died in 2013. After searching online, she found someone who made bears out of old clothes and from there the idea took off. 

“It's clothes that were special to him, that he wore a lot. And just the expression on the bear, and again it's just a stuffed animal, but it's the essence of my dad. And that's important for me to have around," she said. 

By day, McBride helps couples start their journey together as a wedding officiant, and her bears help people heal when time together ends. 

“I get to be right up close in their little bubble for the 15 minutes it takes to change their life, and I just think that's really cool — the same way for someone who's looking for a way to cope with their grief or make a mark in someone's life. I get to be apart of someone's history,” McBride said.

McBride said she loves revealing each bear to her clients and seeing their reactions. 

“It's the biggest, warm fuzzy that you can possibly have. It's such a good feeling to be able to do something for somebody else that prompts such a reaction. ... It's pretty cool,” she said. 

If you'd like your own bear you can contact Mcbride here on her Facebook page.