Lately I seem to have one injury after another. I run. I love it. It is the best therapy money can’t buy. I solve all of the world’s problems, and a few of my own, while I’m running. I will NOT give it up. But these injuries sure have slowed me down. Plantar fasciitis, strained achilles, jacked up back (that’s what I get for not warming up before doing a weights workout), and this random hip pinching kind of thing that even my physical therapist can’t figure out. So I’ve had to cut down my miles and run slower. So incredibly frustrating! But I will NOT stop running.
Another thing I love and have a hard time giving up are my heels. All of my shoes, except, of course, for my running shoes, have heels. I’m talking 3″-5″ heels. I love them. I feel more attractive and feminine when I wear them. But all of these injuries have made me think about the idea of maybe…possibly….one day buying…..flats. Oy! Just the thought of it makes me cringe! Flats??? But they’re so squatty looking! I’m always joking with my 12 year old fashionista that looking good hurts sometimes. I finally broke down a couple years ago and bought some Croc flip flops after my plantar fasciitis got too bad to manage. My podiatrist brother-in-law recommended getting some Crocs because of their good arch support. So I went shopping….hesitantly. But there was NO WAY I was going to buy any of the typical Croc shoes. That would be insanity! My 83 year old father, with Parkinsons wears Crocs. I love my dad, but he is definitely not the pillar of fashion sense. And even he will admit he wears them for their functionality. Not that he really cares about appearances, anyway. Just ask my mom about her 50+ year battle with that issue.
At first, my Crocs were just for around the house, to give my foot a rest. But I eventually talked myself into wearing them on a summer day when we had plans to be out and walking for several hours. And I was aware of those hideous things on my feet the entire time! Did I even dare to give flirty smiles to the cute guys around me? Heavens no! I was hideous! Ok…I was cute, but my FEET were hideous, and it felt like that frumpiness worked its way all through me.
But, let’s be honest. I’m getting older and these injuries just keep popping up. Could it be because of my heels? I admit, the thought has crossed my mind several times. But can I bring myself to work in some flats? I guess the better question would be, will I even be able to find a pair of flats that I can bring myself to buy, let alone wear?
And now to my dating life. (I promise, there is a connection.) As, you can imagine at my age, the pickin’s are very slim. The herd has been thinned. The dating pool has turned into a dating puddle. It is a tragic and depressing situation at times. Tall, dark and handsome is quickly turning into short, cute and workable….emphasis on the short. Yes, my friends, I am surrounded by a flock of short men (and, in many cases, I use the term “men” loosely).
A couple months ago I started attending a local church meeting for the singles in my area 30-45 years old. I had just broken up with my boyfriend (who, luckily was 5’10″….or unluckily I guess, since we ended up breaking up). I went in feeling hopeful that I could find another man that would pique my interest. My friend was saving me a seat. (Do you really think I would go to a a singles scene without a wing woman?) As I walked in I caught eyes with the guy who happened to be sitting on the other side of my saved spot. He smiled at me, scooted over and said, “Please, come sit down.” I thought, “Wow! My first day here and I’ve already met a really cute guy! Score!!” We talked through the whole meeting and really hit it off. He was flirting. I was flirting. He even laughed at all my jokes and told me I was funny (So, clearly he had a great sense of humor). And then we stood up. *Sigh* He was short. Really short. I’m not quite sure how short he was since I was wearing my typical 4″ heels putting me at about 5’10”. I’m guessing we’re about the same height barefoot. But when am I ever barefoot in church?! Ummm….never!! It was obvious to the both of us that I was much taller than he. But that didn’t seem to deter him. Week after week he would try to sit next to me and talk with me and flirt with me. And each week I would meet one guy after another who was on the shorter side of the ruler. It seems most of the cute ones left were not blessed with inches. If I’m going to comfortably date any of them, I have to bring my height down. Decisions….decisions….
So what’s a girl to do? Is it just me or does it seem like God is really trying to get me to wear flats?