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When I was 22, I bought a pair of Converse shoes. It wasn’t my first pair and certainly not my last – but it was a special pair. Why so special? They have always been my favourite pair of shoes and as a result, they’ve been on some pretty special adventures.

When I did a ski season, they took me up and down the mountain each day as I hitchhiked up to my job with my mates. Then they went on the road trip afterwards – an endless summer of beaches, beers and music with the best friends in the world. I’m sure they still have the sand and campsite dirt on them from those days.

When I hopped on a plane and moved to the other side of the world, they carried me along my merry way. They’ve paced airplane aisles, and spent endless hours waiting at airports. Europe and North America wouldn’t have been the same without those babies. Pubs, clubs and fancy cafes; a bobsled ride, the Arctic circle and reindeer sightings. Meeting some of the best people I’ve ever known, and some I’d rather forget. They’ve left footprints in nearly every European capital and taken memories from the cities in between. And they may or may not have gotten lost getting to the Grand Canyon.

They’ve made it through 6 or 7 Big Day Out’s, 4 Falls Festivals, Coachella, Glastonbury, 2 V Festivals, a Secret Garden Party, a Gatecrasher, a Global Gathering and an undisclosed number of individual gigs. They’ve been privy to some of the best musicians we’ve ever known – and they almost, almost, met a Beatle.

They also now have holes in the sides so wet weather means wet, dirty and smelly feet.

They’ve seen NHL, NBA, NBL, AFL and NRL games. They were there when I sang the national anthem with two best mates in Cardiff as the Wallabies played Wales, and saw a lot of spilled beer afterwards. They were there in the crowded London pubs as we played for the World Cups, in both Rugby and Football and they were there in Singapore as I watched Mark Webber on the grid in his Redbull F1.

So you see, one pair of shoes – a lot of adventures.

I found them packed away in a cupboard just the other day (they had gone into retirement) and like a smack in the head, all those adventures came rushing back at me. I couldn’t wait to get them back on my feet again. As I left home with the kids this morning, I noticed my toddler also had her Cons on and I couldn’t help but smile.

One pair of shoes at the end of their journey, and another with the whole world at their feet.

Do you have a ‘special’ pair of shoes? Please share in the comments below.

Image: Supplied

  • I havea pair of Dr Martens like that.

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  • It is interesting how much history a pair of shoes holds! I had never though of it like that before!

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  • Isn’t it awful that we have to throw those precious special shoes at some point out ??!!

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  • I had special boots that were re soled and re heeled some many times until they met their final end – it was so sad! :(

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  • Have done many things in my life -always seemed to have a different pair of shoes for each occasion though. Lovely to hear how all your memories came flooding back when you found them tucked away in a closet. My memories come rushing back with smells!

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  • Im one of probably very few wmen who really dont think much of shoes. To me they are just things you need. Ive never been excited by or owned anything but basic shoes. I love my pair of converse shoes thouh. I treated myself a pair in my early 20’s and they are still going. Great for every day, school runs, park days and running aound like a mad mum days. I think i’ll get my eldest a pair when she stops growing enough to make it valie for money!

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  • I did have a special pair of Dunlops that I wore in that inbetween period when Dunlops were not cool. I loved them and we did a Contiki tour together.

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  • A nice thought – none of my shoes have THAT many memories.

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  • There are some shoes that I loved in the past and traveled with me, but I used them so much that I had to throw them away. Maybe I should have kept them as remembrance too. :-)

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  • No special pair of shoes here. Just lots of tatty shoes. Wish I had the money to replace them.

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  • I really enjoyed this story, makes me think if I have a special pair of shoes or item like this. Very cool.

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  • Great story,my favourite are my gorgeous leather boots!

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  • That’s an awesome story that made me smile. No I don’t have a special pair of shoes like that

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