In my closet I have many shoes. I have the pair that instantly boost me a foot taller allowing me to tower over everyone, seeing heads of balding men and down women’s blouses. I have my flip flops which are essential for sunny days and sandy days, for dashing out of the house in chase of an errant child. I have my dusty Doc Martens from high school that go perfectly with my Morrissey t-shirt. I have my low boots my high boots my brown boots my black boots when I need to be stylish and practical and sophisticated and comfortable. I have my sneakers, which no one believes I own, because they are seen on the rare occasion when either outdoor exercise will occur or Toms just won’t do. And I have THE pair that goes with everything and takes me everywhere, that allow me to strut and dance, the strappy pair that stay put when swinging from chandeliers. How perfect that Jen has the same pair.

When Jen turns 40 you go to The Bahamas. You dance on platforms, swim to the buoy, snorkel, paddle-board and kayak in your own private ocean playground, eat cracked conch at The Poop Deck, lose $300 in 30 minutes, and do it all with a vodka cranberry in your hand and a card stuck to your forehead. As Jen turns 40 we celebrate her spirit, talent and grace, we celebrate the laughter, the secrets, the sharing that have brought us here and we toast to the dreams filling her head. 

“Choices sit on the shelf life
New shoes in a shoe shop.
If the in crowd are squeezing into a must-have shoe
And the one pair left are too tiny for you
Don’t feel compelled into choosing them
If you’re really a size 9, buy that size.
While everyone else
Hobbles round with sore feet
Your choices should feel comfortable
Or they aren’t your choices at all.
Why limp when you can sprint?”
– David Baird