Dearest Sperry's,

How are you doing, old friend? Before I express my undying love for you, I want to apologize.

I'm sorry I wear you until your rubber heels literally rub off. I know you don't deserve that kind of abuse, but I'm selfish and can't go a day without you donning my feet. Together we have sprinted to my 8:30 class, sloshed through murky puddles and strolled through campus on coffee breaks. We've been through a lot together.

For me, the changing of seasons and semesters is not categorized by leaves falling or flowers blooming, but by Sperry shoes.

When the sun shines sunny and bright, there you are in your boat shoe form, completing every sundress outfit I wear with your neutral color. I have discovered you also go fabulously with jeans when I am in self-denial that its truly too chilly for you to still be making morning walks to class with me. And while I always expel a sad sigh of defeat when I shove you to the back of my closet, I take comfort in the thought that it is officially duck boot season once again.

I can't progress further with this letter without giving a special shout out to my dear duck boots. This past winter, I made the fateful error of cheating on you with another pair of rain boots. While their bright coloring foolishly enticed me, my toes paid the ultimate price when I splashed into my first puddle. The boots were not waterproof.

After that sole soaking and soul-crushing experience, I sulked back to you, offering my most heartfelt apologies. And there you were, dependable as ever, welcoming me back and keeping my feet safe and dry. I learned a very valuable lesson that day: I am a Sperry girl through and through.

So my beloved Sperrys, I guess I should end this love letter by thanking you. Thank you for being the only shoe never to leave my feet bleeding with blisters. Thank you for ensuring that with every stride I take on my soul-searching adventure, I won't slip because of your wave-siping sole. Simply put, thank you for being the best pairs of shoes this girl has ever owned. I promise to try harder to not wear your rubber heels out, but I make no guarantees.

Because for me, your little leather ties do more than secure you to my feet. They secure each step I take as I explore the world and chase my dreams.

Love,

The Girl Who Lives in Her Sperry Shoes