I really like the look of the Blackberry Curve 8520 in Frost.

All I want my phone to do is be able to send messages, instant message, receive calls and keep a contact list! Do I really have to get the data plan? I don't want to use the internet or anything like that, I just really love how this phone looks and texting on it is a dream!

Please help me.

I am getting it from T-Mobile

Yep. My recommendation: find a different phone.

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

On tmobile you are not required to get the dataplan though without you do not reap the full advantage of a blackberry's capabilities

True, but this statement suggested to me that a data plan would be required for the OP:

I assume messages = email and instant message = AIM/Yahoo/MSN/etc. If I am wrong, then forget what I said. Well... except for the get a different phone part.

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

Good point I was assuming txt

Perhaps the OP can clarify

Wirelessly posted (Tmo's cheapest BB customer)

Actually Tmobile now requires data plans for all new Blackberry devices except for the Pearl and Pearl Flip. This is a new policy that began a few months back.

Wirelessly posted (overwhelmingly stressed)

Wow shows how not up to date on the wireless industry I am

Yeah ATT as well as of Sep 6th is making all their customers have data plans with smart phones.

It's the future. Sprint sent up a "trial balloon" with the Palm Pre requiring an Everything Data Plan "to get the best Pre experience". We all know what it's really about - $$$. And the publicity black eye the carriers get every time some tosser racks up a huge data bill and whines about it. "But......but......but.....I didn't know......Waaaaaaaa!!"

You can do everything with a BlackBerry except the IM without a data plan. I actually started using a BB without a data plan for the same reason. But a data plan really brings out the versatility of the device. I just had a friend activate a data plan and now he sees the value.
Having said that. I don't think it is possible to have the Curve 8520 without a data plan. As some have said, T-Mobile now requires a data plan on most BBs.

Wirelessly posted (Tmo's cheapest BB customer)

The only way around it would be to purchase an unlocked device on your own. Then you wouldn't be forced to get a data plan.