For about two years I have been on the lookout for a fun pair of casual dress boots — one of those things you definitely don’t need, but the quest and search makes for a novel experience, and sometimes an entertaining story. So, I found the boots (or maybe they found me!) and here is the story…
One random day, wandering past the shoe section in my local department store, on a mission to find a birthday gift, I passed several display tables of women’s dress boots. As always, my eyes scanned the selection. And suddenly, there THEY were…. Perfect in every way…. Just what I wanted even though I could not actually have told you what I wanted… You know how it is when you just KNOW something is right but could never in your wildest dreams have explained it to anyone? Well, that is exactly what happened. Guess those boots found me that lucky day, or we found each other.
I knew I wanted a short boot as those just work best for me. Definitely wanted something that was not solid black yet coordinated well with black and grey winter items, and didn’t want a boring solid color, rather something with texture and contrast, but not too much… A lot to ask, I know! But THEY had a black/charcoal grey distressed textured sort of effect with, of all things, a studded five-point star on the top of each boot, so that when you put them on and looked down at your feet the stars would shine up at you! How unusual, and interesting! I don’t know why, but I really liked them… Plain Jane and simple that I am in my usual shoe/clothing choices, these were definitely an unusual selection for me, but I LOVED them at first sight!
So, I stopped and picked up the display boot and looked at it carefully. Rather “busy” for me, normally, but I honestly really liked them! That is, until I turned them over and looked at the price…. Oh no. WAY too much money! Would never spend that amount for a pair of boots… But something made me pick up the mate to this boot, and as I turned it over to look at the sole there smiled at me a bright red 30% off sticker! Okay, this was a bit hopeful, but still too much money…
Must have been muttering to myself because at that point a woman near me said, “…you know you can use the store’s extra 20% off coupon on that purchase…” And I replied, “…you mean the one I threw in the recycle bin in my garage before I left the house?” Yes, that would be the one… Hmmm…. If I went home, dug out the coupon and could get 50% off??? Now, this just might work…
So I confidently took the boot to the sales clerk so she could find my size and I could try them on. But, sadly, not in my size in her store… Seems this was a random boot that someone had returned. Only pair she had. Oh well… It was nice to anticipate… Sigh… I put the display boot back on the table.
And as I continued on to search for that birthday gift I got to thinking. Maybe if I got the name of that boot and the code number I could search for it on the internet? Might even be able to find it for less money? So, spun around and went back to the boot display table, turned over the boot to read the label, and the name of the boot was “Deborah Star Short” — no joke! “Star” and “Short” were logical, but Deborah is my formal name! Clearly these boots were made for me and meant to be!
Finished my shopping quickly and hurried home, eager to get online and search for this boot, which by now I was convinced I HAD to have! Found them several places, but ironically the best price was with the department store where I discovered them. Searching, I could order my size online as it was available, but could only get the 30% off. Had to do an in-store sale to get the extra 20% off… On a whim I called the shoe department of the store I had just left and learned that they could order the boot online through the store at the 50% savings and ship them (for free!) to my home! Now, how lucky was that?! So, I fished the extra store coupon out of the recycle bin, ordered the boots over the phone with the store clerk, and couldn’t wait to meet them!
While waiting for my special boots to arrive I found myself reflecting on how ironic this whole boot story was… They were the color, texture, and “surprise” that I was seeking. They were named after me, too. But it was the star that seemed to capture my heart… You see, several months ago, after my aunt passed away, while traveling home across the country on an airplane, I discovered a brilliant star, alone in the southern sky. This star truly comforted me during that long flight home and came to be the beginning of a sign of connection from my aunt… That my cousin, also on the flight, saw the same star and had the same wonderings simply confirmed my suspicions. Auntie was definitely guiding us. She continues to do so, too… So, could these boots be a sign from her that I should wear them and enjoy them, a gift from my aunt to remind me of her love? Add to that the entire shopping experience that resulted in such an amazing sale price… You see, Auntie was famous in our family for being a smart bargain shopper!!!
Finally THE boots arrived! They WERE beautiful, fit perfectly, and I truly liked them! Auntie guided me through the entire process and made sure that all was right…
Couldn’t wait to wear my special star boots, but they sat for several weeks before I actually had the opportunity. Strangely, that afternoon before I was to put them on they were sitting on a table near a window when something “not-quite-right” on the side of one of the boots caught my eye. Upon closer inspection it appeared that a piece of the leather was separating from the surface of the boot, almost as if something had scraped it or tried to peel off an outer layer. Sigh. I grabbed them and headed to a nearby shoe repair shop hoping it was a simple fix. What I didn’t want was a continual problem with cracking and peeling leather…
Sadly the shoe repair guy told me there was nothing to do to fix it permanently. He suggested I return the boots to the store and try to get another pair that was not “defective.” Not what I wanted to hear…
The next day I went back to the store where the boots were originally ordered. The sales girl was very kind. She agreed they were defective and facilitated the return. Then she checked her computer to see if she could order another pair in my size. No. But then she searched nearby stores to see if anyone had them in stock. Luck would have it that there were two pairs about four hours away. We talked with the clerk in that store, had her check the boots carefully for defects and she reported that they looked very nice. So the order purchase was processed with plans to ship them to me. But the funny part of this story is that in completing the purchase transaction for this second pair of boots I discovered that the boots had been further reduced in price since my original purchase, and this second pair was going to cost me $70 less!!!!
So like auntie to make sure I got the very best bargain!!! Was is just fate? Or, did that defect just “appear” to me when auntie realized I could get a better price?
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A week passed and the second pair of boots arrived — perfect in every way! I have worn them several times now. Not only are they comfortable, but they make me happy and I can’t help but think fondly of my aunt when they are on my feet, her star shining up at me the entire time!
It is incredible to have such an unusual experience that naturally helps lessen the sadness I feel of having lost someone I love so very much. This whole experience is just like my aunt, actually — fun, spontaneous, playful, practical, joyous, and full of warmth and radiant love. Yes, these boots were hand-picked by my aunt just for me… I love her so much for the wonderful gift and heart-warming memories… And, did I tell you, these boots are also magical? Every time I wear them I meet a new and interesting person or discover something new and interesting about a familiar person that I didn’t know before — the sort of discoveries that are exciting and hopeful and full of new and meaningful possibilities. Now I can’t wait to put on my magic star boots and see what discoveries lay ahead! Auntie is the very best guardian angel…