My mom despises the expensive name brand sandals that I had to have. My boyfriend hates that I wear them everywhere I go. I love the fact that I can wear them under my prom dress, with gym shorts on a hike, and with any outfit of my choice.

I take pride in wearing socks with them in the winter. I always take the opportunity to show off my tan lines in the summer. Don't even get me started on choosing the style and strap pattern.

There are so many things to love about Chacos.

I took my first pair of Chacos all over the world. Within just that pair of shoes, I had traveled in and out of the Atlanta International Airport three times. I took them on my journey to Uruguay, Brazil, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. My unique red straps have been worn and torn but I still love them more than any other pair of shoes in my closet.

I quickly learned something that I must have always known but never realized. Chaco's bring people together. I've received more compliments on my Chacos than I will ever get on my cute sandals from Target. Every time someone says something about my Chacos I feel comfortable starting a conversation.

Every Chaco lover hates it when people say "closed toed shoes." Every Chaco lover knows they have the perfect shoe for any kind of weather. Every Chaco lover knows they are ready for the beach or for a hike in the mountains. Every Chaco lover is proud to wear their shoes.

I will admit, I've gotten some interesting looks while wearing Chacos. To some, it might just be a trend or something that is considered "hipster" at the moment but, to me, they are something I can not live without. Some people say they are "too expensive" and "ugly" so why waste your money? I could ask you the same thing about your designer shoes or handbags.

Honestly, when someone looks at my feet because I have strange tan lines or shoes that they don't find stylish, it makes me want to wear them even more. I am comfortable. I can walk or run. I add color to my outfit. They express a different side of me. An outdoorsy side that I have started to embrace more and more in college. I've got my Chacos, my Eno, and my camera to capture every adventure.

The next time someone doesn't like your Chacos, or any shoe except Crocs, don't listen to them. Don't give them the time of day. The haters are gonna hate. That's OK though because they don't know the happiness Chacos bring.