Don't Take Away My Shoes!

I’m not at all picky when it comes to a guy’s height. I’ve dated tall guys, short guys, average guys, really tall guys, whatever. Height doesn’t matter. But I will say that I’m not really into men that are really scrawny. Tall & skinny: fine. Short and skinny: not so great- for me at least. What does matter to me, however, is whether or not the guy is comfortable with his height. My most recent relationship was with a guy that was 5’10” (not that tall, but certainly taller than me), but he was very comfortable with his height. He was also, by the way, somewhat stocky- his arms and chest were big- but all muscle (damn that’s sexy). There is nothing sexier than a man that is comfortable in his own skin. In fact, I didn’t ever notice the height thing- just because he didn’t seem bothered by it.

What is not fine, however, is a man that is so insecure with his height that he demands that I wear flats. I dated such a guy in college. He was the same height as me (5’7”), give or take a half inch, but when I wore shoes, I was much taller than him. He was threatened by that. He constantly asked (read- demanded) that I change my shoes. Newsflash, buddy- I DO NOT OWN FLATS. The only “flats” that I own are sneakers. And I refuse to compromise on this. I am a shoe addict. I am a “girly-girl.” I will not wear flat shoes. Even if my feet are in so much pain that I can barely walk, you will still not catch me in flats. I would rather suffer the blisters in hot 3” stilettos. Even my flip-flops are 2” platforms. And they are the most comfortable shoes I own. I don’t even feel comfortable in sneakers. I would even wear platform sneakers to the gym if it made sense to do so. Unfortunately, it doesn’t, so I have to wear regular sneakers.

I’m not sure why or when my obsession with big shoes began, but they are the one thing that I will not change. I have replaced funky, cute clothing with the “corporate slave uniform” of black suits, but my shoes remain the one part of my wardrobe that shows personality. They are an indication that, even though my workwear is boring and professional, I do have personality

I spend hundreds, maybe even thousands, of dollars every year on shoes. I cannot walk into Hecht’s or Lord & Taylor without stopping by my favorite section. I am uncontrollably drawn to them. One of my favorite mall experiences is at the Dulles Towne Centre Nordstrom. If you go into the store on the 2nd floor, then take the escalator down to the 1st, it is an ethereal experience. There is usually someone playing the grand piano, and as you descend, you are faced with a huge, beautiful playground of shoes. While listening to classical music, I can try on dozens of shoes that I hope to someday be able to afford. It’s my Mecca.

So to any short man I may date, keep this in mind: don’t EVER ask me to wear flats. My shoes are who I am, and I am NOT flat!