My grandmother bought me a pair of REAL red fringe cowgirl boots back in 1994 for her "cowboy" themed second wedding. I know, I know, how Alabama of us, right? But she was happy and that's all that mattered; that AND the red fringe "REAL" cowgirl boots. For maybe two weeks or so before my Gran's wedding, my mama would let me prance around our house before bedtime to "break them in" so I wouldn't have blisters on my feet the day of the wedding. You couldn't tell me NOTHIN'. I thought I was something else...I'd love to use a phrase I only ever heard my Grandmaw Jewell say once, but I'll keep it to myself--let's just say it had to do with going number 2 in high cotton. But YEEHAW, I thought I was a real cowgirl! I would dance around, and draw out my sentences in my southern brogue (think Clairee from Steel Magnolias). My daddy would get me tickled by saying, "you could stomp a roach in the corner with those boots, cowgirl!"
The boots gave me confidence. I remember being nervous the night before my Gran's wedding. I remember telling my parents about my nervousness, and them reminding me that I would have them there and my new red boots on, so there was no need for me to be nervous. I very vividly remember my complete ensemble-- a long denim dress, with a red turtleneck underneath, a BIG hair-bow, white tights and my red cowgirl boots. I look back at those photos and giggle, because if were honest, we all looked a little silly. My Gran has never been a "cowgirl" but she loved to dress-up and this occasion was her excuse to dress up. I remember it being fun and I remember the hours of dancing we did after. I remember begging my mama to let me wear those boots for any and every occasion after...sometimes she obliged, but most of the time I wanted to wear them to church, and as any southern girl knows...red fringe cowgirl boots don't exactly go with your smocked, heirloom bishop dress.
Fast forward a few years, and I asked my mama if she'd kept my red boots--imagine my excitement when she found them last year and gave them to me. They look just like I remember, except a little worn in some places. While we were at my mama's, I told our oldest I had a surprise for her. As soon as she saw them, her eyes lit up, just like I remember my own doing all those years ago when my Gran surprised me with them. My girl exudes confidence all the time. She is rarely ever too shy to put on a show of her latest ballet moves, or sing into her pretend microphone. She's also not afraid to pick out her own outfits. Sometimes she needs a little direction, but for the most part, she knows what she likes and knows what she feels good and confident in. I want to be her when I grow up.
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