“Mommy, when I was born in the hospital, who picked out my outfit?”

I explained to her that no one is born with clothes. I told her how I brought a special outfit with me to the hospital for her to wear once she was born. I then fished out the photo album and began showing her pictures from her birth & hospital stay. She crinkled up her entire face and said,

“Mommy- that is not my fashion! Why did you dress me in that?”

Don’t get me wrong, I love her desire to be “fabulous” so I usually encourage her personal flair on most occasions. Her current favorites are these lovely knock-off UGG boots.

She has been wearing them each and every day possible since we bought them for her back in Oct. Its spring now and the boots are floppy shells of their former selves. Her worst day of the week is PE day when she is forced to wear her white sneakers - which she “hates”.

I mentioned to her recently that we will need to go shoe shopping soon because “these boots have had it”. This seemed to upset her greatly. After she processed the information a bit, she looked at me intently and replied, “No, Mommy, shoes last forever”. With that comment, I honestly could feel her deep connection to the boots. I realized then that it’s going to take an outstanding pair of shoes to take their place in her heart and on her feet. Furthermore, I have realized that I am 100% willing to assist her on this mission because, after all, how could I possibly tamper with such a pure and innocent love of footwear?