Ladies, it happened. I fell in love again…with a pair of shoes…at my age.
At 53, I thought I was too old.
I thought I forgot that special feeling.
I thought I was over this sort of thing.
I thought I would never experience intense emotion like this again.
But then….I saw them across a crowded room.
Something shiny caught my eye.
Off in the right hand corner of the room.
I wasn’t looking for them.
I wasn’t prepared to fall in love.
I noticed the heels too and struggled as I remembered I actually hated wearing heels.
There was something special about this pair that I couldn’t resist.
They were understated but bold.
Black but with silver accents.
At first, the round, flat, silver metal studs drew me in.
And then….
I was completely smitten with the curvy ankle strap with sparkly buckle.
I was a total goner.
I was swooning as I walked around the store, looking at my feet in the mirrors, searching for a justification to buy them.
I couldn’t find any.
Not one to be found.
I tried.
I paced around some more.
I asked strangers for their opinions.
But I couldn’t find one reason to spend $170 on a pair of shoes that had a high heel and that I didn’t really need.
And then I remembered something.
Another time way back when….a time that I felt this feeling….a time that I also fell in love with a pair of shoes.
The year was 1981.
I was a senior in high school.
The object of my affection was a pair of burgundy clogs, with a gold chain across the top.
I was also smitten then.
Head over heels in love with those shoes.
Yes, pun intended.
And I recognized the feeling again.
For no apparent reason other than pure joy, I felt like I needed these shoes.
Seriously, I stood there absolutely giddy.
Fortunately, I was alone.
My kids and husband weren’t around rushing me through the store or questioning my purchase.
I was all by myself.
Just me, the saleswoman, about a hundred strangers or so and my gorgeous shoes.
OOOPS….Did I just say “my”?
Oh…I guess I did.
The 1000s of other shoes didn’t hold a candle to these. They didn’t capture my complete attention.
I only had eyes for one special pair.
The pair with the pretty silver dots.
Even though I didn’t need them.
Even though the heel was a bit high for me.
This deal was done.
The lesson, my friends, is: You’re never too old for a gorgeous pair of shoes.
You can fall in love again.
And you should.
Because you can.
Because it feels good!
