The little angel's new shoes arrived today.  I spent a ridiculous sum on Stride Rites again. Here is my reasoning:

• She can't walk yet.
• I remember when I couldn't waterski, and I had to try it without the cool gloves, a vest that really fit right and weird, wooden skis that did not properly adjust.  I ended up on my face a lot more than was probably necessary.
• Starting out without the right equipment sets you up to fail in life.

Yes, there is a bit of the "I want for her what I could not have" in my theory. However, once she's walking confidently, it's back to Payless we go.

Anyway, they just arrived over lunch. I opened up the box, staring at their little white-and-pink perfection, the smell of leather, the little flowers.  The velcro.  I thought about her little pink feet squishing into the shoes, really taking that first step - probably in these shoes - maybe even learning to run.  Then I started thinking about all the other shoes she will have. Maybe soccer shoes. Maybe ballet slippers or even toe shoes.  Her first heels (post age 12, thank you).  Her prom shoes.  Her slinky sandals and Birkenstocks when she goes to college.  Her wedding shoes.  All in a long line, starting with these little pink-and-white sandals.

Kind of made me pause.