Glide through life with a fine pair of solemates

Awitty quote popped up on my laptop that guaranteed I was certainly above average as compared to the members of my sorority. “An average woman falls in love seven times a year. Only six are with shoes,” read the quote by Kenneth Cole.

I usually fall in love 15 to 20 times a year and without an exception, with shoes. I have no idea when and how I developed my amour for shoes but what I’m most certain is that I’m a person that makes shoe contact before eye contact. I’m a firm believer that shoes make or mar the personality of an individual. A pair of fine shoes not only speaks volumes about the individual’s personality but also gives an extra edge to one’s confidence.

There are a number of references in literature where shoes have been considered as a metaphor. They are said to be the reflection of a person’s soul. Critics believe that the glass slipper is a symbol of Cinderella’s pure heart and that is why it didn’t fit the step sisters who were scheming and manipulative.

You can find a number of idioms and expressions in day-to-day life dedicated to shoes and their significance in one’s life. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches holds the greatest truth regarding evaluating another person’s circumstances before passing judgment. As comfortable/tough as old shoes, to be in someone’s shoes, a goody two shoes, waiting for the other shoe to drop are some commonly used expressions that call attention to the humble footwear.

As a child, I marvelled at the consistent efforts my father put into polishing his shoes before wearing them. Twenty minutes of his morning rituals were exclusively reserved to shoe shining and not without vain as many of his students remarked, “One could see one’s reflection in Professor Badhwar’s shoes.”

When I look around and see men wearing unpolished shoes or women disregarding the upkeep of their shoes, my heart aches at the mistreatment of the pair. My father also ensured that the black leather shoes we wore to school were not only well polished but also received special treatment once in a while by visiting the shoe shine of the area, particularly on the day of our annual results.

I’ve been fortunate in the fact that the second man in my life, my life partner, pays equal attention to his solemates. The first time we went shoe shopping for him, I was pleasantly surprised and gratified at the words he uttered, “Never buy shoes. Always invest in them.” Though not original, his words touched my heart. The words accompany me whenever I go out to buy a pair.

Life doesn’t always move on a smooth track. It has rough patches, too. So, do remember to wear a smile on your face and a good pair of shoes to glide through these patches with the élan of a monarch.

I USUALLY FALL IN LOVE 15 TO 20 TIMES A YEAR AND WITHOUT AN EXCEPTION, WITH SHOES. I’M A PERSON THAT MAKES SHOE CONTACT BEFORE EYE CONTACT