Happy Boots Not So Silly

I have wanted a pair of gum boots for some time now. They are adorable with all their pretty patterns and designs. Never being able to justify spending money on them, I have only eyed them shoe store windows. This year, while in a blissful hypomanic state and rationalizing that it does rain a lot, I decided that I must have a pair. I had in mind exactly what my gum boots would look like – loud and happy. As I searched shoe store after shoe, I was beginning to think my perfect gum boots just weren’t out there. And then one day as I was trying focus on shopping for more needed items for my sparse wardrobe, but actually purchasing things that were most definitely not “needed” (but oh who doesn’t “need” an adorable pink satin pea jacket?!!) I passed a window where I saw them. Gum boots that absolutely screamed out my name. Blue, bright, covered in daisies – these were definitely loud and happy boots. Filled with elation and excitement I went in, ignored the price and immediately purchased my perfect pair of gum boots. Between my fabulous new boots and pink jacket I was on top of my shopping world that day and may have actually been skipping down the street.

I laughed to myself knowing that Dave would think them utterly ridiculous. And he did. As did my mother. However, I knew they were cool and could not wait for some rain so I could wear them. And wore them I did, every chance I got (getting many, many compliments from total strangers by the way!). Still Dave and my mom thought I was a geek. In fact, I think Dave shuddered every time he picked me up and saw them on my feet.

Then came the snow. While they aren’t meant to keep your feet warm, they do keep them dry, not to mention your pants. So while Dave and my mom were manoeuvring through deep snow getting their feet wet, trying to avoid big slush puddles at intersections, I was happily tromping through it all without a care in the world, my happy daisy gum boots keeping my feet and pants completely dry. At some point both Dave and my mom admitted that perhaps my silly boots weren’t so silly after all.