If only my shoes could talk… What an amazing story they would tell! An adventure full of comedy, mystery, romance, murder (well maybe not murder haha), but all rolled up into one tale. Really, what else is with you through all of the important moments in your life? Shoes are such a simple accessory and often chosen as an afterthought when the perfect outfit is picked out. If you think about it though, they really are an integral part. I think of my shoes as a companion who listens without judgment. They are a friend who offers support and comfort but still offers me a pinch every once in awhile to bring me back to reality.

I don’t remember my first steps but I know my shoes were there with me. I can imagine my parents holding my hands preparing to release me into my first stage of independence. What a scary moment it must have been for all of us. As they released my little fingers, it was then that those tiny shoes kept me balanced. Sure there were trips and falls along the way, but my shoes and I quickly began to work together. We were soon skipping, jumping, and running together. My shoes always told the tale of what I had done that day. If inspected carefully, one could even see spatters of what I had eaten that day. Somehow, Mom always knew if I had been running through the garden again.

My shoes were with me on the first day of school. As I walked up to the front door of the big building I shuffled my feet. Somehow the muffled sound of my brand new shoes against the pavement made the walk a little less scary. My shoes got to witness my very first art project. My little white sneakers were a beautiful collage of color when we were through. Who knew the paint would drip off the brush like that? My shoes could even tell the tale of the mean boy who splattered ketchup all over my new dress. I bet my shoes felt left out! What stories they could tell about running free on the play yard without a care in the world. If my shoes could talk, I bet they would tell all about the time I won the big recess race.

When I was eight, my shoes were with me to experience my first big heartache. As my parent sat me down for a serious talk, I stared down at my shoes blankly. They talked about how they love me and everything would be fine. As I began to realize what they were telling me, I knew I hated the word divorce. I wondered why parents couldn’t be like shoes. Shoes were a pair for life and were no good without the other. I wonder if my shoes would talk about what it felt like when my little tears rained down on them like a spring shower. My shoes were there to support me each time I walked through the doors to their separate houses.

I suppose to make a good story; my shoes would have to talk about me as a teenager. I sure put on a lot of miles then. I wonder if they would divulge all the juicy details of my first date. When I was 15, I set out on a new adventure with a brand new pair of shoes that were carefully chosen just for that night. We went to a place called the Varsity in Downtown Atlanta. As we sat together eating our hotdogs, I glanced down at my shoes whenever there was a lull in the conversation. Strange I know, but it seemed like I always thought of something to say. It ended up being a magical evening with a wonderful man. I will let the shoes tell the details if they ever decide to talk. Perhaps my shoes would talk about how that first date eventually led to marriage.

When I was 21, I took one of the most wonderful trips in a beautiful new pair of shoes. I chose the perfect pair to accompany me on the most incredible journey. They were able to balance my trembling body as I slowly made my way down the aisle. Only my shoes could tell you how I made it all the way to my future husband at the front of the building. The way he looked at me made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. As we stood up there hand in hand, reciting our vows, my shoes were there to witness the sacred promises we made to each other. I wonder if they would talk about how magical it was when we shared our first kiss as husband and wife. Would they talk about the way we seemed to float across the floor as we shared our first dance together? The promises we made to each other helped us through many tough times. Every time I see that particular pair of shoes in my closet, it brings back all the feelings and emotions of that day we made the promises to each other.

My shoes could tell you how I am feeling at any given moment without even speaking. For example, if I pull out my favorite pair of strappy high-heeled sandals and put them on, it usually means I am in a flirty mood. If I pull on my supportive running shoes, perhaps they are telling you that I am in an active mood. My fuzzy slippers might tell you that I am feeling a little lazy. They also give tell-tale signs of the places I have been. A weekend stroll through the park always leaves bits of grass on the bottom of my shoes as evidence.

My shoes have played a very important part in my life. They have witnessed all of the good and bad times in my life, and they will be there to witness many more. Through every situation they have offered their support and listening ear without judgment or blame. I think my shoes would have a great story to tell if they could talk, but I might be in a little trouble if they shared everything!