When I was 18 years old, I wore a pair of Reebok classic white high tops.

They were the most comfortable pair of shoes I have owned.

The leather was soft, it cradled my feet. The support I needed for my left foot.

In this pair of shoes I walked all over Minneapolis, Richfield and Bloomington. I walked for hours every day.

My feet were my preferred mode of transportation.

My job at the time was in South Minneapolis. My folks lived North. I was in my disastrous first love relationship.

I wore the shoes until they wore out. Similar to my first love.

Both the relationship and the shoes once had that sheen of new white innocence.

It’s not surprising that over 2 years time both my shoes and my boyfriend began to crack beneath the snowy white surface.

My shoes eventually became full of holes. I loved them even when my big toe poked through the leather.

Even in the slushy end of winter I held on to my dirty, torn up shoes.

My relationship was also full of holes in my boyfriend’s stories. I was not impressed by his tales or delinquent behavior.

It was hard to let him go. I had never felt so loved before. However, I was growing up and didn’t need the reassurance of a young man that I was going to be ok.

One day, my left shoe gave out. My entire foot came out of the side of my shoe.

I unceremoniously tossed my old shoes into the trash. I have never found a replacement for this special footwear.

As for the boyfriend, he was easy to replace and even get an upgrade.

Incidentally, my husband and I celebrated our 18 year anniversary yesterday.

Reebok is reintroducing their classic shoes again. I will be keeping an eye out for them.