It was the most beautiful winter day. The weather was more on the fall side, regular random NYC winter weather and there she was, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Dressed like the Goddess she was, ready to enjoy the festivities of the night. As I watched her, “Cece’s Interlude,” by Drake, immediately started to play in my head. Giving me the background music that I needed to distract me from the boring conversations around me. This felt good, but I know my shyness would never allow me to approach her, so I had to play the waiting game.
This woman approached me while I was around a group of people, which didn’t help the situation for me. I knew what she wanted from the look in her eyes. With that look, I could tell that she wanted the same as me, to get to know each other and see where things go. This was definitely the start of something different and unexpected.
We spent the next few weeks getting to know each other, which was very enjoyable. Then one day, she dropped the biggest bombshell that I couldn’t fathom. A size 5.5Y is the size she wears in kids. My heart immediately stopped, the same way it did when I first laid eyes on her. This was different than the beauty and energy that made my heart stop. This was pure heartbreak, but excitement all in one. I laughed and responded that we wear the same size and by this time, she had come to know me as a sneakerhead.
Our sneakers combined equal over 100 pairs. Mine alone consists of 85 due to me giving some away to family and friends. If we added her shoes into this, she’d definitely have me beat. The good thing about us wearing the same size is that we have nothing alike. Sure we have the same style of sneakers, but colorways are totally different.
Now, initially the heartbreak I was feeling came from me feeling like she would have a field day in my closet, so I was skeptical about letting her know how many sneakers I really had. We discussed how she wouldn’t wear my stuff, but all females say that. You know damn well they have to wear something that belongs to their significant other. Pebbles invited me over to her house and there I was able to see her cute little sneaker collection. Baby girl has some heat!
Jumping ahead, I wear my Air Jordan 1 Hi NRG which are Gold/Black/White. I notice her staring hard at my feet constantly and she finally says, “I really like those sneakers, I want them.” We then began conversing about how the resell price for this pair is crazy. Then she said the unthinkable, “you should let me wear yours.” As my heart dropped, my immediate response was, “Hell to the naw, to the naw, naw, naw!” We both laughed, but I was dead ass.
As much as I never want to let her wear any of my sneakers, I had a change of heart. She takes okay care of her sneakers, I just know I can’t let her wear them when she goes out. They may be a done deal and a wrap, plus I hate having to clean my sneakers. Before you all say, “whet?” I take very good care of my sneakers. I just know what sneakers to wear out and she hasn’t gotten that memo with her own kicks yet.
The initial thoughts of not letting her wear any of my sneakers have fully passed. My burgundy Adidas Pro Model sneakers are the first pair that she was able to wear, but as much as she doesn’t want to admit it, I know it won’t stop there. The cool thing is, I’m okay with that. I actually had on a pair of her sneakers first because she didn’t wear them. Of course, I had to make sure they were laced to the gawds, because she can’t be out here with no choked sneakers. I definitely had to give them that Harlem touch. I wore her Air Jordan Retro 6 “Infrared,” which let me know that I, I mean we need a size 5Y going forward.
All in all, this life isn’t too bad. If I’m unable to cop something, she was most likely able to get them. Plus, we both know they’re more for me than they are for her. What’s the point of buying the same sneaker twice in that case? She can count on me and I can count on her. We may have the same sneakers, but we still have different styles. We don’t always like the same stuff which is definitely great because she may think something I like is too masculine and I may think something is too feminine. If you find yourself in the same predicament as myself, don’t keep the initial reaction to wearing the same size. I’m living it and because of that, I can honestly say…
There’s beauty in the same size sneaker struggle.