Friday afternoon, as she stared longingly out at the snow (that goes on FOREVER), Sara said, “I need some boots” (read, Avery has boots, more than one pair in fact, and ergo, I shall also be needing equally hip boots). “For what?” I inquire. “To pray in the snow.” Uh-huh. To which I reply, “Sara, we tried to take you out in the snow, and you cried.” My never-without-an-answer daughter said, “I can’t go out in just my FEET.”
She’s-met-her-match-Mother then said, “Sara, if you wait one year, I promise to get you boots that are IDENTICAL to Avery’s. Don’t ask me how. It’s magic.”
Alas, Saturday evening with two gift cards in my pocket and a husband willing to push the stroller, we headed to the mall. After Sara’s mandatory train ride, strawberry sundae, and Greg’s cookie…Momma got to go to Payless to try on some SHOES. Oh baby. Shoes. For some fun, I took Sara back to the kid’s section, where she quickly zeroed in on glittery, hot pink, PRINCESS Mary Janes. They are in a word…absolutely hideous/fabulous. You should know I’ve never bought the girls so much as one brand name pair of anything. Gifts and hand-me-downs covers 90% of their couture. Girls are EX-PEN-SIVE, even without the obligatory wardrobe. What are the chances I’ll feel compelled to splurge on…I just don’t know what to call them?
Her little eyes were focused on those treasures as she whispered, “Tam I hab them?” Hands shaking as she tried them on, stood gingerly, peering down at the rhinestone heart buckle, the plastic heart, the copious glitter, the bow that must have fallen off my prom dress in 1986. I’m secretly giggling, thinking of how my Dad used to read “Cruel Shoes” to me by Steve Martin when I was a little girl. He has a funny sense of humor, my Dad. I said, without a second of pause, “Yes Sara. You can have them.” She looked up with her most serious expression and asked, “Tam I wear them?” “Yes Sara, you can wear them.”
While reveling in this newfound freedom of expression in the form of shoes (an awesome moment for any girl), the very, very, very irritating sales girl swung around the corner and belted out oh-so-loudly, “And I’ll put them in this princess box for you, if you’ll just take them off!” Duh. She doesn’t have toddlers, that much is obvious. But Sara stayed calm as she gave this girl her best steely-eyed look that I knew said, “Why would I even CONSIDER taking off these they-go-with-nothing- YET everything-at-the-same-time one of a kind masterpieces?” And I knew. Sara had just purchased her first pair of shoes. We’ve bought summer sandals (remember the pair we felt we had to buy because you got chocolate hand prints all over them?). We’ve bought adorable Stride Rite buckle ups. But tonight, we bought SHOES. If I could have a collective AMEN from the mothers of daughters reading this post. I got zero pairs of shoes. But it was a most awesome trip to the mall.
10 responses to “Sara’s First “Shoes””
Amen..amen. Just don’t ever tell her that there are other shoes stores other than Payless. GG always said that Bakers was for loose women so as a teenager I committed a mortal sin by walking in and browsing. Love the shoes. Dorothy would be proud.
xoxoxo~~gmcf
First off, I LOVE THE SHOES! And only wish I had a Payless near by to get a pair myself! Second, I officially clicked on all links… I was impressed one was picked for me and all the information was in German…thanks! Hope all is well, bat
OMG! Pink, glittery shoes! That go with everything and nothing? Bestill my heart. Me and this girl may share a fashion sense. Greg can properly freak out now – pink hair may be next 🙂
Sara what beautiful shoes!!!! I can see your shopping days are just beginning. Now all you need is the matching handbag 🙂
You are a sweetie! We had the best time playing on Friday.
Keri and Bryce
Sara could have one the shoe contest at your Sex and the City bridal shower!
So that’s the secret to getting comments? Talk about sparkly shoes? To all the men that read this site (and by all, I assume I’m only talking to my dad and brother), take note: starting a conversation about shoes ALWAYS elicits a response…
Oh Daddee,
Yes, and now you know why my book on Women and Finances with several chapters dedicated to shopping and the advertising trends of Target will be a hit. If I can ever get it finished/started/organized on anything other than a word doc. Women connect subconsciously on a level I cannot explain, but I told you this post would be popular. Greg honey, they are pink, glittery shoes. Pink. I know…I’m speaking Greek to you. These simple shoes are a rite of passage for Sara. An iconic moment in time to which we all relate. 6th grade, white slingback sandals with a cork heel, worn with my icy green satin graduation dress with petal sleeves. I can remember the specific negotiation by which I convinced Mom that the heel was not too high for a 6th grader, and they perfectly matched my Valerie Bertinelli winged hair. Yes, my shoes matched my hair! Oh God, the perfection of that memory.
We love you Daddee! We’ll try not to break the bank! Lori, Sara & Kelly
Sara!!!
Next step: ask mommy and daddy to let you go to Brazil with us, so that we can go shoe shopping there!!! We can get the purses to match, too!!!
We will even bring some for mommy and Kelly!!!
What do you think?!
Noah will looooove to have you with him at Grandma’s house!!!
Your shoe is perfect, Sara…matches you perfectly!
Love you!!!
Ana Paula
I think we have a Sara Fabulous on our hands. I am sooo proud! Love you loco loso
Greg….DUDE….their hot pink & glittery!!!! Of course people are going to respond 🙂 Hope all is well, bat