Oh how things have changed

The other day I was driving the 400 north bound and passed the Cookstown Outlet Mall which now has a Coach outlet - for any men reading Coach is a purse brand and one that I LOVE...or used to.  There is no doubt the marriage and parenthood changes you but I wasn't ever really aware of it until now.  As a single girl I loved my purse and shoe collection.  I changed purses all the time to match my outfit and shoes which is not an easy task when you have alot of junk in your purse.  I was the most proud of my "finds" in New York City's Chinatown.  It involved some underground warehouses that now looking back was a pretty dangerous shopping activity.  My "maybe or maybe not real" Louis Vuitton and Coach bags were close enough to the real thing for me, I couldn't justify spending the big bucks at the actual stores. 

When I got married I did a small downsize.  I got rid of anything I hadn't worn or used in the past year.  I weeded out a 1/4 of stuff but still brought alot with me.  It turns out that all these years of wearing heels (in turn probably doing much damage to my feel) and trying to look cute and matchy matchy was for nothing.  I find my husband and turns out he likes the casual, less is more look.  What a relief!!!!!  I weeded out some more high heels and added in some comfy but still cute shoes and rotated between 2 purses brown or black - seemed a bit more sensible.  I think realistically we as women dress for other women.  Men aren't going to notice the brand of our purse or that we have strategically matched our purse, shoes and jewelry perfectly.  We do it so that other women will notice and compliment us in turn building up our self esteem a bit.

Well now I'm a mom.  High heels are definately out of the question.  At the end of my pregnancy i'm lucky that I could get flip flops on my feet.  I can't carry the baby and car seat trying to wear high heels, that has sprained ankle written all over it.  My lovely coach purse has been replaced with a diaper bag.  Who wants to carry a baby, diaper bag AND purse so I tried to minimize the purse "junk" and just throw my wallet and chapstick in the diaper bag. 

As I drove past the Coach outlet I remembered what used to be.  Yes things have changed quite a bit but I wouldn't change ir for anything.