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The Orange Shoes
The Orange Shoes
We didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up. We weren't poor exactly…
We were fed and clothed and took the yearly family road trip. But what we did buy we were stuck with for a while. There were no do-overs when it came to clothes or shoes.
I remember my dad taking me shopping because softball season was starting soon. Cleats were part of the required softball uniform and I am sure that we ended up at Meijer's that day to get the essentials. We were living in Michigan at this time (I was born and spent the first 12 years of my life in MI).
I remember suffering through the endless grocery shopping that needed to be done just so we could just get to the aisle that had sports equipment. Finally we made it.
There were rows and rows of black cleats. They were not leather. They were not expensive. They were not even that well made. But they were what was available at this mass market retailer at the time back in the early 80's.
And suddenly in that never-ending sea of black, I spied a flash of orange. What was this? I gingerly retrieved a pair of orange cleats. The last pair they had (or maybe the only, I will never know).
They were different. They were beautiful! It took me at least 20 minutes to convince my dad to let me get them. He must have somehow channeled his inner sixth grade girl because he surely tried 100 ways to reason with me and convince me to go with the black….At least 100 times. He must of known what was to come.
But I was having none of it. I wanted those orange cleats. It must have been fate that they were in my size. I was determined. They were the coolest shoes I had ever seen, I probably thought to myself. I really had to have them.
So like any father who loves his daughter and supports her sixth grade independence, he threw them in the cart. And of course I quickly took them back out and carried them all the way to the checkout, much like one would carry a newborn baby.
I couldn't wait for the first practice.
The day finally arrived and we all suited up. I heard some snickers in the locker room but it wasn't until I made it to the field that someone said the words that have stayed with me the rest of my life, “Those are the ugliest shoes I have ever seen.”
It was as if a dam broke in tweenland. I was teased mercilessly….made fun of constantly. I would do everything I could to leave those orange cleats at home and not wear them to practice or games. I was benched for wearing tennis shoes after “forgetting” my cleats at home. I would even play sick from school so I didn't have to go to practice.
I attempted to take a marker and color over them several times but we had no Sharpie(s) back then. The marker washed off at each practice, exposing the orange glow.
I may have failed to mention earlier that this was at a Catholic school where there was a clear division of class. Those that had money and those that (we..us…me) did not. We wore uniforms to school and while there were not many opportunities to be different, you still knew who had money and who did not from our clothing. This scholarship student only wanted to fit in at the time. And as a lower income, sixth grade girl teetering on the brink of puberty, fitting in was not all easy for me.
Those orange cleats made my life hell for as long as my feet fit in them. Each day I grew to hate them a little more. I let some girls whose names and faces I cannot even remember now convince me that I now hated something that I was immediately drawn to….something that I had absolutely loved.
I thought that those cleats screamed I was poor when in fact they showed I was different, that I had personality. Instead of going with the pack, I was an individual. But that year, I let those girls convince me that I was not an individual; I let them convince me that I needed to be like them. I needed to be part of the pack, a conformist.
To this day I am still annoyed with myself for all those unresolved feelings about the orange cleats. To this day, I really don't like the color orange; but I am a shoe and clothing lover. I hoard shoes. Beautiful, well made shoes. None of them orange, mind you, but I love me some shoes nonetheless.
Fast forward to 2011.
Today I took my son shopping for shoes. He is eight going on 16 and has definite opinions on what he wants to wear. We let him pick out the majority of his clothing. Well from his closet anyway. I enjoy seeing his personality shine through. In fact, I love it!
He needed tennis shoes and ran off to the section with the boys tennis shoes. Have I mentioned his favorite color? Orange… bright, glowing, beautiful orange. I see his little head poking over the rows going down shoe by shoe. Looking at what was available and weighing his options.
Finally he screamed, “I found them. I found MY shoes. I LOVE THEM!”
“Try them on first and then come show them to us” I say to him over the rows as I help his sisters find shoes.
He comes running over, as fast as he can, a little out of breath and says, “LOOK AT HOW AWESOME THESE ARE!!!!”
And for just a few seconds I have a flashback….a bad flashback.
The look on my face must have startled him because he said, “What's wrong? You don't like them?”
And his face fell.
I had to stifle the urge to tell him to get what everyone else is wearing. To get what all of the little boys at his school wear. I saw those kinds of shoes everywhere. But I bit my tongue instead of telling him to go with the pack.
Because the pack is crap.
Because if someone is going to make fun of him for the shoes he wears, then that someone doesn't deserve to be his friend or a part of his life.
Because my son is creative. He is intelligent. He is wonderful. He is just an all around fabulous kid. I could gush for days.
Because damn it, if my kid wants orange shoes, he should have orange shoes.
So I did what I had to do. I knelt down, looked him in the eyes and said, “These are about the coolest shoes in this entire place. I cannot imagine a more perfect pair for you. Mommy was just having gas pains.” I smiled and I meant it. I ruffled his hair as he took off to run around.
“I am pretty sure that these shoes make me run much faster” he said excitedly.
I am pretty sure I just did the right thing I thought to myself.
And I am seriously considering getting myself a pair of orange shoes.
Seriously.
Stacie, what a story. (And funny too because I grew up in Michigan, now living in Atlanta and I remember Meijer trips. :-)) It brought back my memories of trying to fit in as a 6th grader and wanting to be cool but never having the money to do so. Or the confidence. Thank you for sharing and what an example to be to your son. Continue to pour on the love and confidence that he needs to grow up as an individual and pray that kids are nicer these days. 🙂
What a small world, Lori! Thanks so much for commenting. 🙂
I wonder if our kids will have it easier. It seems like kore and more individuality is more celebrated than it was when we were kids.
You made the right choice today. And also, those shoes are bit chin’. Do they have them in my size?
They may have those shoes in your size!!! 🙂
You are so right. There is definitely much more appreciation today for individuality.
This is such a great post, Stace! I love what you said to Huntly after he showed you the shoes (LOL at the gas pains)! You are an amazing mom and it has to be said….all three of your kids are amazing as well. Mike and I were actually talking about how adorable and sweet and polite all three of them were at Lucas’ party.
Thanks so much Piera. I really appreciate the kind words. 🙂
Great story! I could totally relate…as a child, I always stifled my individuality to fit in and I, like you, am determi not to create an environment where my children feel they have to do the same.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for commenting Renee! 🙂
You go, girl!! I can totally relate. And those shoes ROCK!
Thanks Tricia. He is definitely loving his new shoes.
Shoes are awesome
Thanks.
Don’t you love these moments. It’s a nice nostalgic moment. Mine normally happen when my little one causes mischief.
I do love them. Thanks for stopping by Meghan. 🙂
Girl…go get yourself some orange shows. NOW. Orange is bright, fresh, full of energy–just like YOU! It’s one of my favorite colors (yellow and orange–just like the sun) and you are one of my favorite people. You deserve to go together. I hate that people were mean to you ever, but know that’s part of growing up. I remember a similar stinging comment when I was in 8th grade. It still hurts. But now I’m wiser and know not to listen to such trash. I wish you lots of luck passing this message on to your son.
I totally need to Des. I need to make orange one of my new favorite colors. My son would love it!!!
One of the hardest things about parenting is putting aside our own experiences and letting our kids experience life on their own.
I’m sorry that those girls made fun of you, and I’m sorry you spent so much time trying to hide those orange cleats. I hope you go buy a pair of bright orange shoes.
Awww thanks Kelly! 🙂
Next time I see you, I’ll be wearing orange shoes. I know exactly what it was to be on the 6th grade and to be teased. To me it was 5th grade and I wore the coolest shoes I had ever seen, the Converse Chuck Taylors. They didn’t sell them in Finland yet, and my aunt brought them me from the US. I was teased so badly for them that you can imagine my surprise that by the 7th grade all of the cool kids wore them – and then of course mine had gotten too small, and my mom wouldn’t buy me a pair because they were too expensive.
Awww…I love Chuck Taylor’s now!!
Cannot wait to see you in Orange Shoes.
Aww, I think I just got a little teary eyed, darn you, cuz I’m at my office computer! I think he picked out a great pair. I would totally wear those shoes.
Thanks so much! And thanks for reading.
Kids can be incredibly cruel. I had some shoes that I couldn’t “live without” either. Doc Marten boots covered in colored flowers. Yes, it was that bad. But this is your memory lane, not mine so…
I think it’s very cool that your kid has a bold, unique personality just like his mama, and that you let him be free to be his own awesome self. You totally did the right thing. Kudos.
My kid has a fabulous personality. I love that he never gives his choices a second thought. Funny that I admire that quality in an eight year old! 🙂
First of all, LOL at the gas pains. And second, I think you did the right thing!
When I was in Kindergarten I injured my ankle. So in first grade, due to the injury, my doctor recommended me wearing high tops (like the black converse ones). One day on the bus this boy started in on me (I have no idea why). And he started making fun of me. He joked about me having on “boy shoes” and made fun of me bc I wore the same type of shoes everyday (like he didn’t).
And then sure enough, another BOY on the bus was wearing MY shoes! Seriously, on MY bus! I thought I’d never hear the end of it….
Thanks Amy!
what a story! This brings back memories how ensecure I was about my clothes in middle school.
these are amazing shoes
my 4 year old already is very concious ablut her clothes, sometimes she is concerned that someone migt lough at her clothes. I will have to work on that one
They are pretty awesome shoes!!
I have to work on that with my daughter as well. She is six.
I love those shoes…and I probably would have loved the orange cleats. Yes! 🙂 You’re a great mom!
Thanks Amanda. You are just awesome!!! 🙂
Such a sweet story! I love it! I think you did a great job!
Thank you Joanna!
I. love. this. post. 🙂
Thank you so much Jo-Lynne!!! 🙂
That is so funny. What’s even funnier is your son following in your footsteps! That is priceless. I’m glad you allowed him to be an individual. That’s the important part of this story.
You are so right DeAnna!
That is an incredible story Stacie. My mom used to make our clothes and I recall getting teased about that. I worry about my kid’s being teased in school but if Sebastian wants to wear a baret on hat day, I let him and if Madelyn wants to wear two different colored socks, I let her. So far so good!
Thanks Alicia! 🙂
My mother made a few things for us growing up too so I know how that is.
Hello, I’m your newest follower from the Welcome Wednesday Blog Hop. Please follow me back. Thanks,
Tania
Thanks Tania!
I LOVE how you handled that. LOVE. major pat on the back to Stacie!
Thank you Julie!!
I got a little teary eyed there… This was beautifully written. I’m sharing it with everyone, thank you.
My little guy thinks his shoes make him “run faster” too, by the way. 🙂
Oh thank you Mandi! That is really nice. 🙂
You really need to write more posts like this. 🙂
Thanks Karen. I want to. But there is something so hard about sharing so much. I am always afraid of tumbleweeds blowing through… 🙂
This was a very heartfelt post. Your working through that difficult memory quickly will forever be a blessing. I used to have the neatest pair of lime green tennis shoes ever. I got teased quite a bit but then went out and bought a red funky pair too. Some of us are always a bit different than the crowd…wouldn’t have it any other way ;).
Your son has a brilliant mother!
Thanks Beverly.
You know, years ago New Balance sent me a pair of lime green shoes to test out. Boy were they bright!! 😉
Stacie I just want to give you a big ole HUG right now. We always see each other, but never have time for a real conversation and damnit now you have me wanting me some orange shoes!!!! 😛
Kas
Awwww thanks Kas!!!
We definitely need spend some time together next time we are in the same place. We can both wear our orange shoes! 😉
I’m buying my whole family some flippin’ orange shoes! I am so glad you wrote this. I grew up in a middle-upper class community where my family was always a tad different. My parents were working so hard to give us everything everyone else had but I didn’t have the name brand stuff and I was never interested in it. I wanted what I thought was cool, much like you did. I am so glad you let your true you shine through because it made you the woman and mom you are today. Good for you! Love this post, thanks so much for sharing!
How funny!! I think that we all need some orange shoes!!
Thanks!
I have a kick ass pair of orange shoes NOW! They are ADIDAS. But….I can totally relate to not having the cool clothes or whatever in school. Middle School was a miserable experience…I’m so glad that is behind me and I hope my kids don’t suffer like that.
You definitely have to wear the orange shoes when we see each other next!! 🙂
Yes, you did do the right thing, I would have done it too. Now go out and get your self the BRIGHTEST ORANGE shoes you have ever laid eyes on!!! MUAH!
I definitely need to get those orange shoes!!
Thanks Kim.
This post? Makes me love you more!
Oh thank you, Lisa! 🙂
I’d definitely agree you did the right thing 🙂
Thanks Becki!
I love how you told the story–you’re a great writer! Funny how you don’t like orange now =) But what an AWESOME mom you are!!
Thank you for linking up on the w/w hop! I have another hop going on today (Fridays) called “Flash-back-Friday.” Link up an old post for a flash form the past! It’s like looking in an old scrapbook. Feel free to link up! I’ll choose a random blog to feature each week. See you soon!
~Carolyn
Flash-Back-Friday
Thank you so much Carolyn!
Is it wrong that orange shoes made me tear up a little? You did absolutely the right thing for your son. And they really are about the coolest shoes I have ever seen.
Nah, not wrong at all. Thanks so much Lindsay! 🙂
You definitely did the right thing. You dared him to be different and nothing could be better. Hopefully that feeling of not being afraid to stand out from the crowd will stick with him in harder decisions he is sure to face in life!
Thanks Kathleen. I sure hope so!!
You did the right thing, I could write a very similar story to the one your wrote. And like you I have decided to let my kids be independent and let them be themselves.
Thanks Sharon!
I’ve always been the dorky kid or the weirdo. As I’ve grown older I’ve realized that I’ll never fit in and going with the crowd, well it’s just not worth it. I’m learning to accept that I’ll always be the one who stands out. But I’m okay with that.
Loved this post. And I loved your story even more! 🙂 And you know what? I’m probably never going to look at orange shoes without thinking of you again! Those shoes are the coolest orange shoes I’ve ever seen. 😉
Thanks RJ. What a fabulous comment. 🙂
I feel the same way…and they look cool to me.
Some people will always try to bring others down, that is their nature (it’s something about them that makes them only feel ok with themself if they criticize others)
Thanks Penelope!
I was teased to and there for am extra sensitive to trying to help my kids pick out the stuff that is least lilkely to get them teased that we can afford. But we also encourage them to be themselves. It’s a hard line sometimes but you HAVE to encourage them to be different when they do know what they like. I think the shoes are great. Hope he continues to love them. Good job letting him get them Mama!!
Thanks Lisa!! 🙂
aww Stacie, Im emotional anyways, but a total tear jerker story, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading Isra! 🙂
You definitely made the right decision. This was such a beautifully written post, it brought a few tears to my eyes. You are a wonderful mommy!
Thank you May!
Great story, I have many it seems like that, my kids are all out of school but I remember in the early years when boy oh boy they wanted the Abercrombie yadda yadda and I could afford a few of the ‘in’ brands but nothing like some families. Reminds me of Junior High and High School, we were not rich and not middle class, money was so tight.. I always wanted more than one pair of Gerbos Have no idea how to spell them..from The Limited, how I yearned for every color that the girls wore. By my Junior Year I got over it and settled into my cool boyfriend jeans “Levis”.. Great memories though..
Thanks for reading April!
You’re right… the pack is crap, and always will be crap. No matter what anyone says to him those shoes made him happy. I think you did the right thing and I think you know you did. He will never forget that you let him be himself and that you love him for that.
Thanks! 🙂
What a lovely story, Stacie. I think that pretty much everyone of us experienced some kind of ridicule from other kids, no matter rich or poor, or something in the middle. The important thing is what you learned from it, and it seems you learned a lot.
Thanks Jerry!
Wonderful Story Stacie. I can relate with your story. We pretty much have the same experience while growing up. Now lets just be thankful that we have go through that experience and learn a lot from it. Hopefully our children won’t go through what we have been through. Godbless you always.
Thank you so much Di!
I’m so sad that you had to go through that ostracism and teasing, but I’m glad that in the big picture, it was a good thing. And kudos to you for buying your son the shoes of his choosing!
Thanks Liz! 🙂
These orange shoes are cute. I think back in the 80s we weren’t as free with color as we are now. I think I might get me some orange shoes.
You definitely should!!
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you didn’t half swallow your tongue on that one! A shame you didn’t have a pic of the original shoes, but you probably found a way to burn them as a kid. I will say the next time I have to recover from a look of horror with my child, I’m using that ‘gas’ line – brilliant! And good save on the the little dude’s feelings.
I wish I still had the original shoes!
I have had that conversation with my daughter. I was torn between letting her do her own thing and trying to spare her the indignities that I thought would follow.
It is so hard to make these choices as a parent, isn’t it?
Love this, Stacie. I have had several brushes like this…just like you when I was a kid. Kudos to you for getting him the orange shoes! I love them. Hugs and I hope you and your family are doing well. Hoping we can meet up next month!
Thanks Julie! Hope to see you soon.
What a great post. Funny how history , even our own “history” can and does repeat itself. Absolutely love your quote “the pack is crap”. that should be a bumper sticker… stopping by from twitter. Love, Katie
Thanks Kate!
Your son is as creative as you. I am sorry that you had such a bad experience. I am just glad that you acknowledged how wonderful it is to have something that others find different. I think the shoes are just fine, some of the kids back then think so too, maybe they just won’t accept it since it was not what considered a trend. Good job in supporting your son, you made him very happy.
Thanks so much David. And thanks for visiting!
Love this post and the shoes! I may borrow your quote, “the pack is crap,” to use once my little one grows up and wants to conform like I so desperately wanted to as a scholarship kid growing up in a private school world. I could tell you some stories about what I showed up wearing on non-uniform day. I will never forget the agony, but at least now I can laugh about it 🙂
Thanks Titania! Definitely borrow the quote. 🙂
I enjoyed reading this. Lessons we all need to remember.
Thanks Sue!
I love it, Stacie. Your post gave me flashbacks of sixth grade, the day I accidentally wore my shirt backwards. I think sixth grade is a preview of hell.
Did he get teased about his shoes? I hope not.
Yep. Sixth grade was definitely brutal.
He did not get teased at all. In fact, a few people told him how cool they were.
Visiting from SITS and loved this post! I think you need a pair of orange shoes in your closet. . .
Thanks Louise. I think that you are right!!
Stacie- this brought tears to my eyes! I can relate to you in so many ways. I can remember the sting of not being accepted and fear that for my children as well. Kids can be so mean and it would hurt me terribly if my children were to get picked on for making choices that made them happy. I want my children to be their own people and to not go with the pack- even at times it can be easier to do so. Its hard to not try to influence their choices because of the consequences we know can follow. As hard as it is, its important as parents to let them be themselves and not let our past experiences effect their choices. Much easier said than done- this I know! Love this post.
I love this. My heart breaks for your 6th grade self and how hard that must’ve been. I am glad you did not try to stifle your son. There are much more important lessons to teach than running with the pack. Happy SITS day!
Yay for orange shoes! My seventh grader has a bright orange pair of Vans and my eight year old has a bright reddish orange pair.
I think you should definitely get yourself another pair and rock them with pride! 🙂
Happy SITS Day!
I think your son was fine, boys don’t get teased or taunted like girls right? Sorry you had to go through that. 🙁
Red ribbons, saddle shoes, poufy dresses when slim cuts are in, jeans that weren’t Levis – these were all my orange shoe faux pas that I was taunted for through my growing up years. They leave an impression – and make one glad to not give a *##@! anymore. Great post.
You are a really good mom! What a great response.
This was like reading a page from my own story. Oh, I wish I could go back in time and talk to that timid little 6th grade girl that was me. I would tell her just what she really was – funny, smart, talented, creative.
What a great story. All we want to do as kids (and even as adults) is to fit in – and sometimes that conflicts with our individuality. I’m glad you let your son get his orange kicks and here’s to him for loving them so!
Stopping by from SITS!
I loved hearing about your orange shoes. I hope your son doesn’t get teased like you did. You’re right. The pack is crap. I’m glad your son is different, Embrace all differences!!!
Happy SITS Day!
I love stand out colors too and I used to wear a mask of confidence when I was the opposite growing up and would allow people to manipulate me. Gosh.
It’s nice to see girls growing up with so much strength today.
My kids are so much more confident than I was as a tween/teen. I hope that it reflects my parenting skills and not just the fact that I was an insecure, goofy, braces wearing, glasses wearing outsider.
I wish I had a pair of orange shoes as cool as those… I had the opposite problem in middle school. I could never fall in love with a pair of shoes and then go out and buy them because I mostly wore hand-me-downs, which means that I only got to wear what someone else thought was cool. I’m glad your son is bold enough and fortunate enough to wear just what he wants to wear…
oh, and Happy SITS day!
I saw you featured on SITS, and I’m so glad I stopped by to read! This was a great post, and I can totally relate. In middle school, I asked my parents for a bright yellow down jacket. I was convinced that it was a stylish piece that I HAD to have. Well, I got my coat. I loved it! Looking back, I’m pretty sure I looked like Big Bird, but I didn’t care. I think you absolutely did the right thing in encouraging your son’s own sense of style and creativity! The pack is definitely c.r.a.p.
What a beautiful story. This part really stood out, “‘I am pretty sure that these shoes make me run much faster’ he said excitedly. I am pretty sure I just did the right thing I thought to myself.” You did. And I applaud your courage, and your support of your boy’s innocent enthusiasm. He’ll remember that you stood by him.
That. Is. Awesome. I love that you stepped back and let him be HIM and get what he loved. I hope they don’t cause him as much grief as yours cost you, but even if he did, I know you could help him deal with it.
What a story! So sorry you had to go through that back then. We do just about anything to fit in don’t we. But you learned from that experiance and now you can pass on that wisdom to your children.
I’m so glad your son has a mom like you who is helping him and allowing him to be his creative self!
You should totally go for it and get yourself a pair of beautiful orange shoes!
WOW… what an amazing story. And how shocking that the shoes are so similar.
I just saw this post in a RT. I loved it. I found myself relating to so much- from being from Michigan to buying cleats at Meijer. I did that. And I remember picking out eccentric items of clothing to wear only to later feel self conscious and in turn- loathe the clothing. What a great post- really and truly. So relatable!
What a small world. I used to love Meijer when I lived there. It used to be called Meijer’s Thrifty Acres. Do you remember that by any chance?
I love the Orange and totally agree “The Pack is crap” So happy to see another mom who supports her child’s individualism and I know will you support him no matter what.
I loved this story.. especially since it’s a true story!!