~
“Being Young means making mistakes,
they don’t define us, they just help shape us and the best part?
Those crazy insane and slightly hysterical mistakes we make…
make the best stories!”
~ Author Unknown
In 1998 I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of not only being young, but also landing an internship in London, England. I worked and lived there for nearly half a year - not truly realizing the extent of how fortunate I was to have this experience at a time when one couldn’t even begin to fathom the idea of a tragedy like 9/11.
As it happened, just prior to landing the internship I met my husband-to-be, who decided that a couple months into my trip he would fork out the dollars to come visit me at my home abroad. There were two reasons for him doing this:
- (Most obvious) He would miss me, and
- (Least obvious) He just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get a true, authentic pair of Doc Martens shoes.
Doc Martens were all the rage at that time (according to my husband - then boyfriend). So subsequently, after quickly settling in upon arrival, we made the short trip to a six-story, trendy retail store in Covent Gardens so that he could purchase a brown pair of original Doc Martens FROM LONDON.
This story, concluded here, wouldn’t really be that much of a story. It is what happened afterwards that makes it into a story we will forever remember and share.
The next day, we were leaving to backpack around Paris for the weekend.
Note: Backpacking = taking only what can be fit in a backpack (which requires light packing).
Note: Doc Martens are not light.
Note: My husband (then boyfriend) was OBSESSED with his new shoes and wasn’t going anywhere without them.
Which all led to the decision of wearing the shoes on our trip.
Lesson Learned. Hopefully…
The lesson and story in all of this?
Doc Martens shoes, although known for their quality, durability and “air cushion soles,” take time to wear in. (As do a lot of things in life.) It is not a good idea to make your first outing in your NEW Doc Martens a 3-day, whirlwind walking tour of Paris. (Especially when you don’t know how to say “band-aid” in French and the thermometer is getting dangerously close to the 100° mark.)
Duly noted.
By both of us.
Lesson learned.
The. HARD. Way.
That trip tested our relationship almost as much as having a child together.
We look back and laugh, but at the time - it was NOT funny.
Nevertheless, I am proud to say that we did learn our lesson. I will guarantee beyond a doubt, that you will never find myself or my husband walking the streets of Paris (or any streets anywhere for any extended amount of any time) in a new pair of shoes (regardless of whether they are Doc Martens or stilettos).*
When it comes to Fashion vs. Function - we learned that often it is much better to choose function.
I have concluded however, that I am not certain either one of us still would have listened to any words of caution before this backpacking disaster even if there was an enormous red label (similar to what you might see on a cigarette pack) adhered to the bottom of each shoe bluntly screaming:
WARNING: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WEAR DOC MARTENS BACKPACKING IN PARIS (especially in 100° weather) UNTIL THOROUGHLY BROKEN IN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE.
Life lessons are sometimes simply the best, yet hardest and only way to learn.
My advice? - In motherhood, during work, on vacation - wherever you may be, listen. Listen and learn from life’s big and small lessons.
Sometimes they may seem trivial, frustrating, or ridiculously unfair, but most every experience can whisper more wisdom in your ear - if you just take the time to reflect.
*I had one momentary lapse in judgment when I chose to wear a new pair of gorgeous, red heals during a trip a few summers ago to Chicago. In my defense, I was NOT told we would be walking over a mile to dinner. 
Leave a Comment: How often do you reflect on the stories in your life? What are some of the big and small stories of your youth that shaped you as an adult and also as a mother?
~
Did you enjoy this post?
Never miss a post! Consider subscribing via email and also help us spread the word
about the NAMC by sharing this post with other mothers.
