Wives must tread carefully. Where our husbands are concerned, we usually have 2 choices, say something or don't. Insert whatever issue you wish here, it's usually leads back to the same dilemma. Bring it up, or zip it.
There are some more sensitive, close-to-the heart issues that if we, as wives were prudent, we'd wisely leave alone. Such as, the pair of cleats my A still keeps. We both know there is no earthly way he'll ever be able to use them again, it's physically an impossibility without huge risks.
It's nothing spoken, it's just understood.
Yet we still have them. Why? Because sometimes there's no need to vocally shatter whatever comfort comes from knowing you at least have them, that small piece of what life was like before an accident. I get that.
So the cleats live on, silently in our closet.
Then there are other issues. Those that are ok to speak of. Those are ok to DEMAND change on. (with sugar and spice and a cherry on top of course)
I speak of a pair of old friends of Andy's that we laid to rest last weekend. No, this post is not going morbid, I speak of his long-time Sketcher shoes. How long you say? Well, let me tell you. These shoes had 5 years on me!
8th grade.
Yes, he bought them in 8th grade, and has worn them intermittently for 15 years. I shall repeat that in one more form: fifteen years. You read correctly. Let that soak in.
Shoes are made to be supportive for up to 400 MAYBE 500 miles. Tops. Just imagine how many miles you can accumulate in 15 years. Now stop, it's depressing.
The struggle was intense. The battle, ugly. In the end, we emerged victorious in our own rights. United as a couple again (grin) in our journey of finding NEW yet comfortable shoes.
The black sketchers were given a proper burial, inside one of the SF mall trash cans. I'm sure they laid peacefully till trash rounds were made. At least a few hours.
How did I miss these shoes being a part of our lives for SO long? I can't tell you! I don't know how they escaped my scouring eyes every yard sale season, I wonder if he hid them! ;) All I can tell you is, we shall make this an annual event. His ankle deserves it, and it was time to lay 8th grade to rest.
And yes, we spent GOOD money on these new loafers. Gel support, real leather, the works. The trip was exhausting though (and hilarious at times as well, we're both becoming more assertive), I'm pretty sure he was looking for the EXACT same pair to just magically still be on the shelf some 15 years after it's fashion debut. I love you Andrew Coleman, but I shall spend the next 60 years shoe shopping with you, let's call a truce now on future shoe trips?! ;)
1 comment:
Oh, our husbands are cut somewhat out of the same mold. Even Andy's pouty lip reminds me of Jake! Jake and I have had some similar battles! Some I've won, others lost, but laughs either way! And what is the weirdness about shoes? jake loves to hang on to his shoes too... and he has a few pair that are totally not right for his workplace... LOL!! Don't tell... :-)
Thankfully we have learned how to weather these "clothing negotiations" much better after 10 years... we weren't so hot at it when we were first married, hehe!
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