I never actively made a decision to start collecting Cookie Monsters.
I was given a Cookie Monster as a baby, but it wasn't my favorite toy - that honor went to a Snoopy and a Winnie the Pooh.
When I was in high school I saw a Cookie Monster toy that made me smile, so I bought it. Then I found another one and I bought that too. Whenever I see a Cookie Monster he makes me smile. The rest is history.