Sole Sister: VICTORIA

my wedding shoes...

Social Worker/Mom/Wife

Toronto, Canada

The story behind them? These are the shoes that I married my husband Charles in. We got married when I was 40 after 7 years of living together. I had five other opportunities to be married before that time but none of the men were right. Lots of really wonderful guys, many of whom I am still friends with. But they weren't right.

Finally I made a list of what I really, really wanted in a relationship. It wasn't your typical tall, dark and handsome list. I wanted character. I wanted somebody who read a lot, was politically articulate, who volunteered, and was kind to his mom and who was respectful to waitress, telemarketers and wrong numbers. There were a bunch of other things. I can't remember them all. But basically I wanted somebody who shared my values and not to sound sappy, wanted to make the world the better a place.

I made the list and it got buried some where. Months later long after I knew Charles was the one I found the list again. He was everything I had asked for. We didn't get married right away. Life intervened. I went back to school. His father died. I got a new job. We bought a house. But one day he looked at me and said "Let's do it. Let's get married".

I wore a dress that was made from my mom's wedding dress. Charles had his mom walk him down the aisle and I had my mom and dad walk me down. I was so happy. I cried and cried and cried when I got in front of the minister and held Charles' hands.

These are the shoes that took me there.