The gateway flats

The date was November 26, 2004. I had survived my first Thanksgiving with JG’s family, and I crammed into an SUV with the female part of the clan for some serious Black Friday shopping. I had never really been out to the malls on the day after Thanksgiving, but the call of tradition beckoned, and we ventured forth.

Outside the fitting rooms at the Gap, I saw a girl carrying a small shoebox with a picture of a turquoise moccasin on it.  Before I could stop myself, I tapped on her shoulder and asked, “Where did you find those cute shoes?”  I don’t know what came over me.  I had no need for flat, blue shoes.  The novelty must have struck me in the right way.

Over there, she gestured, but they didn’t have many blue ones left.

I dashed over to the markdown shoe wall, but the only sizes in blue were too big for me, and the only other color was black, which seemed downright dreary in comparison.  The shoes were so cute! The main body was made of turquoise suede with patent leather accents at the heel and toe.  Oh, well.

Someone tapped my shoulder in the check-out line.  It was the girl I had approached earlier, and she held out the shoes.  “These didn’t work out for me, so do you want to try?” she asked. “They’re sevens.”

Did I!  I thanked the girl and tried on the shoes quickly, right then and there. They were a little roomy — I probably could have used a 6.5 — but they were on sale, so the deal was done.  In the same way that my sister and I breathe a little prayer of thanks for a parking spot right next to a mall’s entrance, these shoes were Meant To Be.

With that purchase, I began what I call my Teal Phase, which resulted in the acquisition of many teal or turquoise items (including a corduroy jacket that very same day) in an attempt to move away from my then-signature olive green.  I saw the light of wearing flats, and I accumulated several more pairs in varying colors, even taking the leap to patterned shoes. My wardrobe of neutrals and solids was never the same again.

And to think it all started with those turquoise moccasins that I almost didn’t find.

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Psst!  Mission: Put Together - Fall Edition kicks off tomorrow!