Is it wrong to buy an American Girl doll for yourself because you’re 43 years old and you want to re-live your childhood? No? EXCELLENT! Because American Girl just rolled out their “Girl of the Year” and her name is Courtney Moore, and I MUST HAVE HER! Why? Because her heyday is 1986 and she is bringing me back to the carefree days of my 1980s childhood!

I was nine years old in 1986, and after reading the description of Courtney’s backstory, I can effectively say that we would have been sharing broken-heart BFF necklaces, FUR SHURE!

Courtney is a totally tubular chick who loves video games and playing at her local shopping mall arcade. She also looks up to the crew of the space shuttle Challenger (the defining tragedy of my childhood, so this really resonates with me), and lives in a blended family. Plus, her mom is running for mayor of her California hometown.

Also, this American Girl comes with 1980s girl accessories that we ALL had: a mini Caboodle, Lip Smackers lip gloss, and Care Bears pajamas!

You can even buy a Walkman and a Pac Man lunch box and Thermos for her. Take my money, American Girl!!  Just TAKE IT. My daughter is too old for your dolls these days, but as for me, I am NOT. I’ve never had one of my own and I think it might be time to change that!

Courtney’s acid wash denim skirt, go-go boots, hot pink tights, and matching scrunchie scream ’80s style in the BEST way!

I adore her look, and I also adore that American Girl partnered with my favorite ’80s girl group, the GoGos, to launch Courtney and her story into the world. Talk about girl power! “We Got the Beat” is gonna be in my head all day now, and I am not even mad about it!

RELATED: Growing Up in the ’80s Taught Me All I Need To Know About Friendship

Though Courtney may look like an ’80s “Valley Girl,” she stands out from the crowd because of her avid interest in not just playing video games, but in using the emerging technology to create her own video game with a female superhero as the lead. To connect Courtney’s story with the girls of today, American Girl has also partnered with Girls Who Code, an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech industries. I could not love this ANY more! 

Here’s how we can be heroes, whether we buy a Courtney doll or not: from now through December 31 of this year, American Girl will match our donations to Girls Who Code.

These donations will support GWC’s mission, programs, and outreach to girls, but that’s not all! The funds will also provide four $5,000 scholarships to Girls Who Code members to help them with the pursuit of their education in computer science or a related field. How AMAZING is that? 

You guys, I think Courtney is totally rad and I wish I could go back in time and have her be my childhood doll! Will you be grabbing her for your real-life American girl to play with? 

RELATED: Dinosaurs is Coming To Disney+ So Get Ready To Relive Your Childhood

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Jenny Rapson

Jenny Rapson is a follower of Christ, a wife and mom of three from Ohio and a freelance writer and editor. You can find her at her blog, Mommin' It Up, or follow her on Twitter.

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