Mary Apple has her potato back.

   You'll remember the Independence woman carried the heart-shaped tuber to The Late Show with David Letterman last month -- where, after a series of jokes, she gave it to President Barack Obama, Letterman's only guest that night.

    Mary later said she was happy to provide the president with her aging spud but only if he really, really, wanted it.

   He didn't.

   Husband Winston Apple reports receiving a registered-mail box this week from the White House -- with a note from the president and the beloved potato inside.

    "Mary and I were very happy and excited to welcome the little guy home," Winston writes.