i had to share what my dear friend mark townsend wrote about my mom. he’s a hair stylist extraordinaire…at my "jappiest" moment, he blew dry my hair in my apartment at 5am the morning i was to give birth to my son (i wanted to look pretty! didnt last- i sweat so much from my c-section). you can check out mark’s work on magnetla.
I will never, ever forget the many colorful experiences I had with Bunny. There are so many stories, and thinking of each one brings a gigantic smile to my face, gives me a loud chuckle, and makes me thank God that I had the opportunity to know such an incredible person. Coming from a small town in the South, characters like Bunny Koppelman were things I only dreamed of. If I knew then that I would be able to one day call someone like her my friend, then maybe being the fat, gay kid on the playground in a redneck town wouldn’t have been such a struggle.
When I did escape
I was so naive then, that I didn’t realize the Barney’s sale was pretty much a full contact sport, and anything worth buying was sold in the first 19 minutes. So when I arrived, the last pair of Prada shoes in my size looked like something you put on your feet when scuba diving, or when you have to use the showers at summer camp. Of course, I didn’t care, I was determined to get myself a pair of Prada shoes, so I bought them right there and then, no matter how ugly they were. In fact, they were so unappealing to the general public that,if my memory is correct, they were 80% off the original price. This was not only my first designer purchase, but it was also my first purchase from Barney’s, even if it was the warehouse sale, so I was so proud to walk out with that black bag in hand. I was just beaming.
The next morning I showed up at 64th and
“My new shoes” I replied.
“What? You paid for those?” was her response.
“Yes, I did”
“You look like a duck!” she screamed.
“They’re Prada” I said with quickly fading confidence.
“They’re ugly” was her response.
She reached for the phone and proclaimed “I need the car immediately, it’s an emergency!” And in less than 3 minutes I was in the back of a limousine.
“We need to go to Barney’s as quick as possible” she told the driver. “Good thing we are only 3 blocks away” I thought, having no idea what was happening to me.
Upon our arrival, I was whisked to the men’s shoe department, where I saw what I can only describe as the equivalent of a gay man’s paradise. The most exquisite, beautiful shoes a man could put on his feet was everywhere I looked.
“Whoever sold these shoes to my friend here should be fired” Bunny announced to each and every salesperson in that shoe department.
It took me several minutes to regain my composure after a fit of hysterical laughter, egged on by my new shopping partner laughing just as hard and as loud as I was. But she was right and I knew it, and there was no fooling her., she knew I knew it. So she declared I needed new shoes and instructed anyone within hearing distance to bring out every Prada shoe in my size. My vision was blurred by then and all I saw was a gorgeous cloud of black leather.
“I can’t afford any of these” I whispered to her as my foot slipped into the most gorgeous ankle boot I have ever seen or felt.
“You can’t walk around this city in those awful shoes, not with the people you work with” she stated.
And I knew what she meant. She had every intention of buying me a pair of shoes. I know she saw deep inside me the second I walked into her dressing room and saw what I had tried to do. And she saved me any embarrassing future moments. She took that once fat, gay, scared kid and took him shopping and bought him the most beautiful pair of Prada boots I had ever seen.
In buying those shoes, she wasn’t saying I needed expensive shoes to be successful, she was saying “I believe in you, now you have to believe in yourself, not a pair of shoes.”
That was the day I became a new person. I realized that I didn’t need a certain brand of shoes, or any material possession to become successful. Everything I needed to achieve my goals was inside me and it took the generosity, kindness, and love of this beautiful person to show me the way.
Those boots became my magical slippers, the kind you read about in fairy tales. I wore these boots on my first day on the set of the film Vanilla Sky. I wore these boots the first time I ever styled an actress (Penelope Cruz) for the Academy Awards. I wore these boots to my first big film premiere of a movie I worked on. I wore these boots on my first visit to
10 years is a long time to hold on to a pair of shoes, boots even. But I own a pair of boots that will remain in my life forever. When Bunny touched those boots, just a small amount of her love and energy polished those boots forever, because that was her, She was born with an abundance of love and she gave it to every person she knew. I will cherish the love she bestowed on me forever. There is no way to imitate her, but if every person that was ever touched by her just tried their best to learn from her and share a smile, a laugh, and some love with the people around them, then this world would be a much better place.
Sitting down writing this now, with tears falling down my face, I have a huge smile on my face, and I almost choke from crying and laughing at the same time. I can’t help but be filled with joy when thinking of Bunny, and I can’t help but think that that is exactly the way she would have wanted it.
I will always think of her as the most wonderful, colorful person I ever met.
the boots:
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xxx
jennifer
facebook: jennifer koppelman hutt
aim: whateverradio
Very hard to read the bold type?
Another testimony to what an absolutely amazing lady your mother was. I understand why you miss her so. What a beautifully crafted letter and what an beautiful soul Mark Townsend is for sharing his feelings with you.
Remarkable. I guess that is the only word to sum her up. Well… that and captivating. Thank you for sharing with us.
What a beautiful story on how your mother touched someone…. by doing a small jesture that changed his confidence and perspective.
Truly was a touching story. Bunny sounds like a good person just like her daughter. God bless her soul in heaven.
As a side note…Personally, I think those boots are hideous, too. I would rather have my stylist wear shoes from the grocery store than the Douche Bag store. Spending so much time tripping out on foot coverings is about as petty as one can be. But if that’s what makes him feel worthy, whatever.
If we would all just try to make life a little better and a little easier on those around us….it doesn’t take much but could end up be life-changing for somebody else.
Screw “The Secret”. That’s the secret and Bunny knew it!
That is a truly moving story. That was nice of you to take the time to write it. The boots are great, too.
That story gave me chills. What a beautiful tribute to your mother.
Wait a minute! You had your hair blown out before a medical procedure? Wow!
. . . beautiful
How wonderful to be remembered for your goodness. We should all be remembered in the same way. Guess I have alot to learn from Bunny. Thanks Jen !!
HS
GTH
and other stuff
Jennifer, when you feel up to it I hope you guys can put together a tribute to Bunny for us to listen to a day when the show isn’t live so we can listen to all the old segments when Bunny called in.
Booty-ful:-)
Mark’s letter to you was so touching…it gives such a warm feeling to know how important your mom was to not only her family, but to others that she cared for…this story is so nice. I got a note similar after my dad died..I’d had no idea of some of the lives he’d made a difference in…this one was so touching and simple really. I framed it and have it on a side table…it just makes me smile…
Jennifer thanking you for sharing Mark’s beautiful memory of your mother. 🙂 I cry every time you post a story of your mother.
that is the kindest sweetest thing i have ever read.
Such a wonderful story, thank you for sharing this beautiful moment and thank you to Mark for taking the time to write about something so personal!
What a great story! Your mom sounds like she was a blast!
PS…I think the smell of that thing Alexis cut up today is coming thru your website!!!!! Have a great weekend!
Seriously keep posting these things because they stay with me and provide a portrait of who your momther was and how special I still remember the story another girl wrote that you put up. Honestly Jennifer you were lucky to have her.
Thank you for sharing this story and I hope that I can have a little bit of the Bunny K attitude from now on.
wow
Tears are streaming down my face as I write this. I hope these wonderful memories help you through your grief. Your mom was a wonderful soul.
typical Bunny! Love that
jen, a touching and beautiful tribute to your mom.
Lovely!
Don’t you think Bunny would have loved that he sent a picture of the boots?:)
Jen, What an amazing story.
Gorgeous…you are blessed with these memorable stories shared with you.
How proud you must be. To be able to touch so many lives. She had an incredible gift.
Wow. That’s nice.
I posted ages ago about how we have to look at death from the view that people have been in our lives for a reason… and that losing them will provide reason in it’s own way. I’m sure numerous people will read this post about your wonderful mother and will have a ‘pay it forward’ moment for someone in their lives in remembrance of your mom. The wonderful impact she has had on people and how it will CONTINUE now that she’s in a better place should warm your heart and help stop the tears when you’re feeling blue and missing her. Hang in there. I will be thinking of her tomorrow when I find something nice to do for someone in remembrance of her…. and hopefully many more times just because she has rubbed off on me!
What a wonderful story! My twin sister is a hair stylist and I can relate to all the beginnings of starting a business in the hair world. Jen, this is only one wonderful story about Bunny, I am sure everyone she has touched in her life has their own story, a book could probably be written with all of them. God Bless!
OK I am running late and really have no business sitting here reading about boots, but I did and now my make-up is ruined, not to mention my blouse which has a big blush-colored teardrop on it now.
What a lovely, touching tribute! I’m inspired to spread a bit more kindness today.
Thank you!
how lucky you all are to have had bunny in your life. she will live on forever in cherished memories like these. what a gift to be sent that letter.
A tibute like that = Priceless
I only hope that I can touch someone’s life as your mother touched Mark’s.
It is so true that those we love who are no longer with us, do indeed live on in spirit through others that they have touched in life. Such a beautiful tribute to your Mother.
What a wonderful, wonderful story and great tribute to your mother. Reading this really made me feel like I knew both your mother and Mark Townsend, and I found myself crying and laughing as I read. Thank you for sharing.
In sympathy,
Sheila
What a wonderful gift Mark has given you by writing this beautiful tribute to your mother. How wonderful to touch someone’s life as your Mom did with Mark and I’m sure many others. I hope that you have received some comfort by the stories and memories that Mark and others have shared with you. I am thinking about you this week as I know the holidays will be very difficult. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story!
A lot of us who live outside the New York area don’t know much about Bunny Koppleman other than she is your mom and Charles’ wife. Could you please fill in the blanks? Like, where was she born, how did she meet your father, was she raised with a lot of money (or was she a self-made woman like Martha)? Did your father ever mind that she spent so much money on strangers or did she spend her own money on Prada shoes? 🙂
Of all the lovely things you could have said all you did was show the rest of us that you don’t know how to enlarge the font. There are several ways, like hitting a few keys, depending on your system, or copy/paste into another document and change the font there– howEVER, whatEVER it’s a beautiful tribute so quitcherbitchin.
To Jennifer–
From a Hallmark card we received yesterday honoring the passing of my husband’s dear sweet mother –there is a pearl in an oyster on the front:
“Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind.”
And so do boots, apparently!
Again, Jennifer, thanks for sharing and I’m glad things like that beautiful story are warming your heart and helping with the healing. Who could NOT smile through the tears elicited by that tribute!? SWEET!
Wonderful and touching. The font made it really difficult on the eyes, but obviously I got through it.
Wow… I only hope that people are able to say all of these beautiful things about me someday. I try to live my life so that when all is said and done and I have passed on to the next step of life, everyone that knows me will be better for having known me. Your Mother made it a more colorful world to live in. How blessed we all are.
I can’t help but be envious. My mom has always been miserable. Thanks for sharing that story, it inspired me to slow down and try to be a better friend and mom. How gifted you are to have had such a classy and loving woman for a mom. Alexis inspires me to bake and share, and you inspire me to be a better being. I love you girls!!
What a great story… it’s always amazing to find out how much your loved ones touched people once their gone. It’s oddly reassuring and stabbingly sad. We all touch people in ways we’re not aware of… and your mom obviously touched more than most. Stay strong!
Amazing – touching story!
Jennifer, this is a wonderful story- I’m glad you shared it here. Those are still great boots!
Hey Sage, why would answering any of your questions change anything? Why not just accept the story as it has been presented; in a thoughtful loving way? The money questions are boorish.
How great that your mom enjoyed sharing her wealth in order to make someone else’s day. I bet she had so much fun doing it. I hope she knew what a lifelong impact that act of kindness had on Mark. Hearing about it has certainly impacted me.
What a beautiful expression of what your mom ment to others in her life. I hope that as you hear other stories like this, that it will help ease your pain somewhat. You know your mom was a great person, but to hear others express how great she was to them, seems to make it better.
When the past 6 blogs are about the same person you’ve never met, it’s only natural to want to know more about them. In addition the the ‘boorish’ money question, I also asked where she was born and how she met Charles… By the way, Egas, who made YOU the guardian of good taste?!
To enlarge the font of a website you are reading:
On a Mac hold command (open apple) key and then hit the “+/=” key as many times as you need to.
Great story Jennifer.
TN – I am so sorry that all you got from reading that great letter that was the impact of the font, not the person. What you missed was another example of how wonderful Bunny was, and why Jennifer is so sweet because of that. Keep them coming, Jen, I don’t care what the type.
Wow–That’s awesome! Sounds like an O’Henry story…
<> Absolutely no one made me the “guardian of good taste.” But like pornography, I know it when I see it. In my opinion and MY opinion only, I think questions about anyone’s money situation are out of line. I didn’t slam your whole posting Sage, just the bit about your insatiable inquisitiveness regarding $$$. Peace
indiana, dear…I’m w/ you…my mother is miserable. how lucky you are jennifer to have a mother who not only loved you, but so many others so unconditionally. thank you so much for sharing this and the earlier letter to your sister…inspired to be kinder, gentler and nothing like my mothern is how this left me.
What a wonderful post! A story that must be repeated over and over; one for the history books. A gift, and a lesson, for each one of us.
that was beyond amazing…as i imagine bunny was too.
Thanks so much for sharing the notes you receive about your mom. They seriously inspire me to want to be that kind of person. She touched so many people. What a wonderful legacy!!
the font sucks…..can’t read it
I have a different view of this story and think it shows Buuny was judgemental of personal presentation and snobbish about what people wore. To accept others as they are, irrespective of their fashion choices, is a quality I hold much more highly than having the ability to summon your driver and fork out loads of cash
This show is going to be soooo stupid
This is a very sweet story- clearly Bunny saw the best in people and wanted them to feel it to:)
I would suggest changing the bold and italic type since it becomes blurry on screen.
What a beautiful kind hearted person your mom was, she will live forever!
wow!
Wow Kerrie, that is harsh.
OMG, Jennifer, do not listen to the A-holes that have anything negative to say.
Bunny must have been a wonderful woman to have insipired stories like this.
Your entries lately have made me cry at work!
Jen,
L’Shana Tova. Beautiful story and thanks for sharing. I too lost my father to pancreatic cancer shortly after my first son was born. At least he was able to hold him before he left this earth.
G*d love ya for putting up with some of the cyber wack-os too!
Be well.
I don’t think the font sucks or is it blurry. It is a wonderful, beautiful story. These are the kind of stories that make me sad. Again when my brother Todd died I got so many wonderful notes and letters from people whose hearts he touched. Most I only knew thew his stories. One older lady who was like 90 would call him when her heat or air conditioner was broken and then send him home with all kinds of fruits and vegetables she grew, not to mention her pasteries. My brother was the type of guy who would call people like this just to say hello and how’s the heat ot the air conditioning. He was a very charismatic(spelling)and generous guy not to mention extremely handson. Oh well those are some of my fond memories of him and the people he touched. Believed it or not from time to time I run into some of his clients and they still can;t stop talking about him and ofcourse it ends in crying and a hug. Amy
That is one of the most touching and beautifully articulated stories I have ever heard. And those are great looking boots.
Jennifer: Your mom sounds like a wonderful person. I wonder, did she approve of what your doing with your talents and education?. You have been so blessed with a great life and oportunities and…I don’t know. The show is funny but a person like you should be doing something of substance. You guys are like Paris Hilton and Nicole 20 years later!.
I have been wanting to tell you this for a while. My mom is currently going through what your mom went through. You may not have realized when you wrote them, but the stories on your blog are helping cope through this. Because of your experience I am appreciating my mom just a little bit more, and telling her I love her just a little bit extra.
Thanks Jennifer.
While you may, or may not find this of help, I wanted to share something positive with you that I return to quite a bit. Maybe you will, too:
https://www.beliefnet.com/prayeroftheday/more_prayers.asp?paid=63&faid=68
Thanks Jennifer.
What a beautiful story!!! Jen, how lucky you are to have called such a wonderful woman Mom. God has blessed you!!!!!
Hey Frances, Don’t YOU approve of what Jennifer is doing with her talents and education? She sure seems to live her life to the fullest with family, friends & work; incorporating her “talents and education” in all she does. You really truly don’t get it, do you? Paris and Nicole ?!? No way Frances.
The only opinion that counts here is that of the person who wrote the note.
Beautiful Story….Beautiful Woman.
To Kerri,
What are you talking about? She didn’t judge anyone. I am betting you are the type of person who never does anything nice for anyone. Always has sour puss on their face. Get a clue. When was the last time you did something for someone?
To all you negative posters – ask yourself this – When you die, how many people will take the time to write a letter to your loved ones about how you touched their lives?
It doesn’t matter that story was about Prada shoes, what matters, is that a woman who clearly received no benefit from it, took time out of her day and to share what she had with someone that needed it. She reached out and touch someones life in a lasting way —- how many of you can say that?
My different view of Bunny is she knew this guy was sweeping(floors) to the top. She mentored him in the nicest way. She knew what worked and what didn’t.
Especially knowing you can’t buy class, but you can find some great teacher to help you. The guy was trying to make it in NYC!
They obviously had some sweet wonderful connection, and she saw he was trying….So…….she cut through the bullsh**, and took the guy out for a proper pair of shoes.
It was a win win…she paid it forward, and now I am sure he does the same. Kudos to Bunny! Rest in Peace precious lady. Your legacy will live on.
Secnarf (clever…): As a mother with a daughter going to an Ivy in Boston (like Jennifer who went to a very good University), I know that I would be disappointed if after all the $,time, effort and sacrifice she would decide to do a show that is not …smart?? It is funny an entertaining but… of no more substance than the contributions of Paris and Nicole. So, without being judgmental, I am just curious to know how her mom (who seems to have been a very wise person) felt about Jennifer’s career choice. I think Jennifer seems to be a wonderful person, a loving mom,wife, and friend but I also think that she is smarter and more talented (lovely voice) than the show.My opinion.
Thank you for sharing a beautiful, touching story.And thank you for sharing your mother with us.
Frances, are you for real? I have two daughters in great Universities. One a physics major, one a film major. Both in the top schools for their major….But, hmmmm not what I would have chosen…..Oh that’s right it is THEIR BLISS, not mine….
Judging a lady for her career choice when her mother just passed? I am sure her mother was pleased beyond words and so proud of all of her kids…
There is such a thing as bad Karma baby…..leave your judgements on another blog. Seems to me Jennifer is a mom first, Wife, and just a funny host on a silly nonsensical show that tells us all to lighten up!
Not everything in life is about being “smart”….Bunny is probably so happy that her girl found a way to talkt talk and talk some more….
Theresa, GEE, I am giving Jen a compliment. She can do with her life Whatever she want, I do not judge her. Actually, I thought I could learn from her mom , who seemed to have had a lot of insight about people…But, everyone in the show is very judgmental anyway, I don’t think either of them would care if other people did judge them (karma?).