More on Fashion Sense: The Episode of the Boots

A while ago I posted our family pictures on this blog and Facebook and I had three people comment on the boots I was wearing. Why? Well, those boots are rather famous. It's been two years since they redefined my marriage with Ben and they are still an icon. Allow me to tell the tale.

Once upon a time Ben and I were more newlywed than we are now. We were in a budding relationship, discovering each other and learning about marriage. And then one day... Ben discovered something about me that he wished he hadn't.

We were about to go to Washington DC for Ben's internship. In fact, we had been invited to a party with all the other students we'd be living with. Being the mild-fashionista that I am, I wanted to buy something new for the party. The recent style of skinny jeans with knee-high boots had really caught my eye. What a perfect way for someone with short legs (like me) to look tall and lean! It was just the look I had been waiting years to catch on!

So I went to the mall and bought the cutest pair of skinny jeans and knee-high boots I could find. And I only spent $55. I was so proud of my bargains that I couldn't wait to come home and show my husband. I wish I hadn't.

As soon as I put the jeans and boots, Ben looked at me with disbelief.

"What?" I asked. "Don't you like them?"

"You look like all the dumb girls on campus".

I was shocked. Ben had never said anything like that to me. So I retaliated.

"Well I like it. Besides, I didn't marry you so you could tell me what to wear".

Ben was shocked. I had never said anything like that to him either.

And thus began the battle. While our typical arguments usually resolved within the hour, this one festered. And wouldn't go away.

It was two full days of tears, harsh words, and nights on the couch (not really, but with the cold shoulder Ben got in bed he might as well been sleeping on the couch). And then I decided to go to my parent's and discuss the matter with them. I was sure they would take my side.

But they didn't. They took Ben's. My mom suggested I return the boots saying, "Those boots aren't worth your marriage". At the time I felt betrayed, but I can now see that my parents were teaching me an important lesson. They were letting me know that if I came crying to them, they weren't going to provide me refuge. They wanted to get the message across early on that I needed to solve my marital problems within my marriage. 

Ben's mom Jane did the same. After discussing the matter over, she suggested Ben show me he was sorry by having me wear the boots while taking me out to dinner. In typical Ben humor he asked, "Could I just take her through the drive-through?" Ha ha.

Eventually it got sorted out, we forgave each other, and I now own three pairs of knee-high boots. In fact, for Christmas I even bought myself a pair of neon-pink skinny jeans and Ben didn't even flinch. He has come a long way.

Besides, it serves us well to have at least one of us keep our fashion sense up to date. And with Ben as an unlikely candidate, I gladly step in. They may be tough boots... I mean shoes... to fill, but somebody has to do it.

The boots with us at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington DC.

At a lunch with friends. Please notice that 50% of these girls are wearing knee-high boots (and one calf height! Which is almost the same thing).