My parents have been in all things practical. I remember when I was about 5 or 6 my dad said that it was time for us to get a new car. I was so excited. I grew up in our old orange volvo station wagon. It had red paint (to cover up the rust) on the side. I couldn't wait for my dad to finally come home with a NEW CAR!!!! Low and behold a few hours later my dad pulled up with a used green volvo station wagon. I was so disappointed. This wasn't new. It was the EXACT same car in a different color (and probably newer year, but what did I care at 6)? My dad/mom's response to my outcry was: "Why would we buy a new car when a used volvo station wagon will last us a life time?" (and it did last until I graduated and my parents moved to africa 11 years later). I was NEVER going to do that when I grew up.
Shoes: another area of practicality. Every year we would take a trip to Loerrach for our annual birkenstock outing. That was our pair of sandals until they wore down or until we outgrew them. The One pair. Style had nothing to do with it. They were practical and most of all they lasted. Birkenstocks were made to last and I unfortunately outgrew them all before I could wear them down. I craved newer/cooler looking sandals but again "why would we buy those other sandals when this will last you?" This meant that our whole family paraded around in different colored Birkenstocks, and because they lasted so dang long I usually got to wear my older brothers and sisters as well.
In our efforts to get ready for Africa I have had to swallow my pride. Practicality has won out over fashion in the end. We may not be sporting birks but we are definitely sporting their equally durable and unfashionable partner. May I present the family of Keens. When worn, they will dress down any fancy outfit, but hey, they are meant to last so why would we buy anything else?
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