Sole Mates

Back in June, while running errands and shopping, I found myself in the parking lot of The Shoe Company on Mayfield Road and popped in to check out their clearance section, as I am known to do. I needed a new pair of everyday shows to replace my existing black sneakers and hate paying full retail for such things.

I found two potential pairs that were a bit more than I would normally pay but still significantly discounted, so I texted pictures of them to Audrey. I outlined the situation and told her I had the option of a sturdy, hiker-like shoe in a boring colour, or a pair of outrageously yellow Saucony sneakers with orange detailing.

When she didn't respond right away I put both pairs back and returned to my vehicle so I could drive to Costco. Audrey texted me enroute, encouraging me to get the more colourful ones, which I said I would do once I'd finished shopping.

But when I got to Costco, they had much less exciting running shoes, on coupon, for much, much less money. My practicality wrestled my whimsy into submission while I stood there whiteknuckling the cart handle before eventually relenting, sighing and grabbing a box of grey sneakers in my size.

Audrey seemed to share my disappointment when I got home, and commiserated with me when I lamented about how long it had been since I had "fun" footwear, signature of mine in college. On a whim in second year, I had purchased a pair of bright blue and yellow Nike high tops, perhaps similar to these.

As a Resident Assistant and member of Student Council, I was kind of in the public eye, and the shoes seemed to really amuse some people. Or maybe it was the fact that they were being worn by a straight-laced guy sometimes prone to shyness. When those shoes wore out I replaced them with a less bright but still unconventional pair of Airwalk-looking shoes, and at one point claimed an award at our RA recognition event as "the Shoe Guy" or something of that nature.

I told Audrey that I was grateful to have found a pair of decent sneakers in my size at such a good price, but was still sad because part of me had looked forward to having standout footwear again, and the understanding look on her face was truly gratifying.

So when I opened a large box from Audrey at Christmas and found those bright yellow Kinvara 13s, needless to say, I was pretty touched.

Audrey had not only gone out and purchased the shoes shortly after we discussed them, she realized they were the wrong size because she had bought the only remaining pair from the wrong location. She ended up having to return them, put the last pair in my size on hold at the other location and then drive out to the west end of the city to get them.

So now I have them and wear them pretty regularly as an alternative pair of indoor shoes. There is a slight chance I will actually wear them outside when the summer comes, but I want to keep that bright yellow pristine for as long as possible. 

That way, when people comment on them, I can share what a lucky guy I am to have such a thoughtful wife.