10/04/2026
For this weekly reflection, I'm taking a silly and heartfelt look at something seemingly meaningless showing how we can be grateful for the little things... 👟
❤️ Ode to My Black
Yesterday I bought new shoes.
Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about it because my old black Skechers have been with me for over four years, and these shoes have LIVED.
They weren't just shoes. They were my travel companions, adventure buddies, business partners, emergency-response footwear, and occasionally, shoes I had absolutely no business wearing for the activity I had chosen. 😂
They were there when Mike and I met Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, in Michigan.
They were there for our very first toy convention with .
They've been to California, Florida, Michigan, Colorado, Missouri and probably a whole bunch of places I've forgotten.
They were with me when I saw Rock City for the first time and when I hopped, slithered, and flapped my arms through Indy 500 Kids Day.
They were there for at least one of my real estate closings…
They've been to Washington, D.C., and I'm pretty sure I've worn them to just about every weekly lunch at McAlister's with Mike and Hannah, especially during the summers when Hannah is home. That's our thing.
I wore them hiking in Santa Barbara, despite the fact that they were clearly not hiking shoes. But it was my first time in Southern California and I got excited. 😂
They held up through the sand, heat, and rain as we traveled back and forth and all around Florida. The lack of tread nearly put me on my butt more times than I can count.
They were there when we met Connor Daly at the Indiana State Fair.
And then that awful day of a high-speed chase that almost sent a car crashing into my home office while I was inside. When it was over, I slipped those shoes on and went outside to talk to the police.
I shakily slipped them on to hold Dad's hand and say goodbye for the last time.
These shoes carried me through the happy, difficult, ridiculous and scary moments of my life and now, after more than four years of service, one of them finally developed a hole in the sole.
I suppose that's their way of telling me they've had enough.
But before I retire these old friends, I just want to say:
Thank you, Skechers.
You were comfortable.
You were dependable.
You were always ready to go.
And, quite frankly, you've seen some s**t. 😂
Goodbye, my friend.
It's been an awesome ride. ❤️👟
Yesterday, I unknowingly wore them one last time. I found their replacements - Pumas.
I hope they'll get to see just as many good things:
More adventures.
More travel.
More Chika Chaka craziness.
More McAlister's lunches with Mike and Hannah.
More laughing.
More life.
Welcome to the family, Pumas.
Run fast. Hang on tight.
And please…let's keep the high-speed chases out of this chapter. 😂❤️🐆👟
P.S. The Pumas have absolutely no idea what they're getting themselves into. 😂
