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conflicted

I have issues.

Many of my issues I will never share with anyone that hasn’t sworn on a stack of Bibles to love me unconditionally.

But some issues I will.

Welcome to my strange little world.

Once I find something I love, I rarely, if ever, stray. Even if I want to. Even if I need to, I just can’t seem to do it.

Take shoes, for example. Several years ago, blissfully unaware of how this day would change my life forever, I bought my first pair of Born sandals.

And that little pair of Born shoes gave way to generation after generation of Borns. Eventually filling the little shoe rack in my closet.

Honestly, I don’t have a lot of shoes.

Just a lot of shoes that look almost exactly alike. Every time I needed a new pair of shoes, a pair of Borns showed up.

But recently *big sigh* my beloved first pair of brown Born sandals have succumbed to years and years of overuse. Sweat. China. Dirt. China. Rain. China.

Upon noticing them hanging in my closet, my husband announced that I had to find a replacement pair. That he was throwing my old faves away. The peeling, curling and torn leather declaring that they didn’t even deserve to be in the Goodwill pile.

Straight to the trash.

So I began the hunt. Online of course. Shopping for shoes with three very small children is a job for the outrageously brave. Or the completely insane. Or those with a nanny.

As you might have guessed, I assumed I’d just find some new Born sandals. Brown please. And, ideally on sale, thankyouverrymuch.

Nada. I moved on to Borns not on sale. And then, finding nothing, I ventured on to *gasp* other brands.

I hoped to find something equally beautiful and possibly even less expensive.

It didn’t quite work out that way.

I found a pair I loved.

I found a pair I adored.

I found a pair I could not afford.


This is where I thought the story ended. But alas, it did not. My husband presented me with a package, in anticipation of our upcoming anniversary (tomorrow! I have nothing for him! I stink!) to see if indeed, I loved these as much in person as I did online.

I was afraid. Very, very afraid.

Honestly, I hoped that I would hate them. Or that they wouldn’t fit. Or that some insanely irritating thing about them would justify their return and I could get all my husband’s hard-earned dough back.

But it was not to be. I loved them from the moment I put them on. Everything about them. I could find no flaw.

Other than the fact that they cost $130.

My husband has given me the ultimatum shared with me that if I return these shoes, it will be the last gift he buys for me. Seems I have a very bad habit of returning all things I feel are excessive and overindulgent.

I don’t know why, but this man of mine just wants to indulge me. And all I want to do is send it back.

Good thing he’s already sworn on a stack of Bibles to love me unconditionally.

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03.20.10 · marriage, real life, things I love 22

Comments

  1. Patricia/NYC says

    March 20, 2010 at 12:57 AM

    How SWEET!!!!! I think Chris & Frank are definitely cut from the same mold! Wear those beauties in good health, my friend!!

    Reply
  2. Tami says

    March 20, 2010 at 1:10 AM

    ummm – i can relate πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  3. Jenny says

    March 20, 2010 at 1:34 AM

    I love them!! How sweet!!

    Reply
  4. Lori says

    March 20, 2010 at 1:41 AM

    Woo hoo, girl…keep those beauties!! And the fact that your man bought them and insists that you NOT return them?! Wow, dreamy, completely dreamy!

    Reply
  5. Suzy says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:06 AM

    PLEASE keep them. It will make your sweet husband happy every time he sees you wear them. But I can totally relate because it's hard for me to splurge on myself, too.

    Reply
  6. Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:14 AM

    never eard of borns. I am frustrated wit soes rigt now. I ave VERY WIDE feet and ave tried so manytimes to find a slip on soe wide enoug for my foot. I just ordered EXTRA wide soes , tey got ere and would not fit my moter even wo is not extra wide so I am sooooo frustrated! Glad you got some soes πŸ™‚

    blessings
    tami
    Praying Jeremiah ome Quickly
    http://www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

    Reply
  7. Terri says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:37 AM

    Same thing happened to me on Valentines Day. I "thought" we were going to buy what we needed together but on Valentines morning my hubby presented me with some expensive ear rings. I actually told him that I thought I should take them back since I really didn't need them and we could save the money for something else. Long story short is…I kept the ear rings and nothing could of made him happier. That alone was worth every penny!

    Keep he shoes! Their awesome! =)

    Reply
  8. Team Houston says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:39 AM

    How sweet!!!

    Happy Day!!

    xoxo michele

    Reply
  9. Ladybugs' Mom says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:43 AM

    I know how you feel…I'm the same way! I'd rather spend the money on my kids/family. He's a good man….and you have been a very good mommy/wife! Please don't think you didn't "earn" these shoes or deserve them!! I know you don't indulge yourself often enough!

    Reply
  10. Wanda says

    March 20, 2010 at 3:36 AM

    Wear them well!! Since you seem to keep your shoes(that you love) forever – these are probably still a very good investment. After all -happy feet, happy heart!

    Happy week-end!

    Reply
  11. DiJo says

    March 20, 2010 at 4:26 AM

    Happy Anniversary Stef & Chris!!!!!

    ~Diana

    Reply
  12. Wendy says

    March 20, 2010 at 4:27 AM

    What a great guy! Have a wonderful anniversary….in your gorgeous new shoes.

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    March 20, 2010 at 6:36 AM

    Wear them…to dinner with him. He loves you..it's very VERY sweet! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  14. TanyaLea says

    March 20, 2010 at 7:16 AM

    Chris is such a thoughtful Hubby!! I'm glad he enjoys buying more indulgent gifts for his beautiful bride… it show the level of which he thinks of you, and that is a treasure in itself! You are blessed!!!

    I once got upset with my hubby after I found out what he paid for a large bouquet of fancy roses (hey, roses die in a week or two…at least shoes last longer!)…but I paid the price for that, and only get 'grocery store' packed roses now! Which I really am okay with. I have plenty of beautiful vases and appreciate them all the same. But if only I could convince him to buy me some nice shoes!!??!! hmmmmmm????!!! πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  15. bytheriver says

    March 20, 2010 at 11:13 AM

    Oh yeah – curb that habit – don't return his gifts – Just be overjoyed at his thoughfulness – You gotta love it!

    Reply
  16. Robin says

    March 20, 2010 at 12:09 PM

    Wear those shoes and have a wonderful anniversary!

    He sounds a lot like my sweet husband.

    Blessings,
    Robin

    Reply
  17. Emy says

    March 20, 2010 at 12:45 PM

    Happy Anniversary!

    I LOVE Born, so I had to google the letters I saw on your new sandals to check 'em out.

    If these end up being your new favorite brand, check out overstock.com. They had a ton of different styles. :o) I might have to order some for myself!!!

    Reply
  18. Kim says

    March 20, 2010 at 2:44 PM

    I think your sandals are awesome! Love them! I love when our husbands treat us. I mean I feel the same. I hate when my husband spends money on me too, but he would be heartbroken if I took it back. Just this week he bought me a MP3 player and a wireless mouse for my computer. What I loved best about the gifts is that he was listening to me and taking mental notes on things I was thinking about purchasing myself. Kuddos to you, Chris! Have a great Anniversary!

    Reply
  19. Jill says

    March 20, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    Darling sandals. Just LOVE them.
    Keep the Hubbie…he is a keeper.

    Happy Anniversary.

    Reply
  20. Football & Fried Rice says

    March 21, 2010 at 8:07 PM

    Yes…keep the shoes..keep the hubby.

    πŸ™‚

    Reply
  21. Mom Of Many says

    March 22, 2010 at 12:35 AM

    I totally return stuff…ALL THE TIME…and then buy something for someone else…kids, hubby, friends…but my hubby gave me that ultimatum a few times…painfully hard! But I love your shoes…so sweet! Are they comfortable? Since God has been healing my legs and I no longer trip all the time from the MS I have found some funky/crazy shoes…that probably 51 year old ladies ought not to be wearing, but what the heck? When you've been in wheelchairs and used a cane for years…my feet just are doing the happy dance to be "on their own" and having a party….

    Happy Anniversary! You two are adorable together…and babykins along…yup, we know the routine..welcome to life with a big, giant, family…I know, right?

    Reply
  22. Dita says

    April 2, 2010 at 11:12 PM

    Love these and love the thought of Chris spoiling the Big Ol' Spoiler herself!

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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