These are the shoes I wore to Sinnick’s wedding to NicolaJayne, in the summer of 2006.

I blogged extensively about these shoes at the time. I needed a pair of sandals to wear with my dress for the wedding and I knew I’d be doing a lot of walking and standing and dancing, so I wanted something pretty but practical. I saw these in the store and I fell in love with them at first sight, but they just didn’t seem like they’d be comfortable at all. The heel is much higher and slimmer than I usually wear, and the straps were so skinny and unsupportive. So in fear, I bought a low-heeled pair of very sensible sandals with thick elastic straps instead.

These other shoes were not cute. They didn’t so much say “sassy hot wedding guest” as “I like to wear stretch pants from WalMart.”

Afterwards I whined and whined about the Lost Shoes, and the next week I went back to the store and went in just to visit, just to say “hi,” and it turned out that they were on sale, 50% off. So of course I had to try them on, and of course they fit perfectly, just as if I were Cinderella. So of course I had to buy them, and show them off to everyone at the wedding.

Actually it was just a wedding reception; they’d already been married in a small ceremony in the Caribbean. FameThrowa and I went down for the big party that most of their extended family and friends were attending.

I had such a great time. Nicola looked so gorgeous — FameThrowa and I were so happy she was wearing her wedding gown — and Sinnick looked handsome and happy. A bunch of Nicola’s family from England were there talking in cool accents, which was enchanting. I met a bunch of FameThrowa’s friends from university (she went to school with Sinnick, which is how I know him), and they were all so adorable I could have eaten them with a spoon. I also met Mr. Hand; I’d been a fan of his blog for a while and I’m afraid I was all giddy and weird and gushy like a groupie, and I wasn’t even drunk. FameThrowa and I rocked out on the dance floor and ate many, many, MANY of the shortbread cookies that they had in place of a cake.

Seriously, BEST. COOKIES. EVER. I have no idea where these little pieces of manna came from. I would have asked Nicola for details but if I knew how to access the source, I would have heart disease in about three weeks. So for the sake of my children, it’s better that I don’t know.

Speaking of the kids, this wedding was the first and only night I have ever spent away from home without the kids since the Captain was born. I think FameThrowa thought I was pretty lame for insisting that we only be gone one night — the wedding was about a five hour drive away, but I still made her drive up on the Saturday, go to the wedding party Saturday night, then drive home the next morning. It was great to be away, but I missed my family a lot and although I knew Sir Monkeypants would have everything under control, at the same time I know how hard it is to do the single-parent thing and I wanted to rush home to help him out as soon as possible.

I have to say I have been extremely lucky in that Sir Monkeypants almost never has to travel for work, and is hardly ever away overnight. I’ve probably had to take the kids all on my own overnight no more than 5 times in the past five years, and I don’t think I’ve ever had to do it since Little Miss Sunshine was born. Some people probably think it’s strange or unhealthy that we basically never, ever leave the kids. I admit it has felt oppressive on occasion, and when I hear about other couples taking cruises or having a weekend in Quebec City while Grandma watches the kids, I feel a little jealous.

But at the same time, I really, really missed them when I was away. I kind of like having them around. Hopefully that isn’t too strange or unhealthy.

Anyway, as for the shoes, they turned out to be shockingly comfortable. I danced in them all evening long and never once felt unsteady, never once a twinge of pain. They’re perfect in every way.

And the practical, old-lady sandals? I don’t even have them any more. As it turns out, the one time I did wear them, they gave me blisters all to hell and back. Guess Cinderella knew what she was doing.