You know that comfort blanket/stuffed animal you had as a child? Let’s be honest, some of you all still have it. I’m not ashamed- I still have my two favorite stuffed bunnies in my parent’s attic. But I digress.

My Rainbow flip-flops are my present-day comfort blanket. I got my first pair the summer before my senior year in high school. I’d been coveting them from afar for a few months, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend $45 on a pair of shoes that covered approximately 4% of the tops of my feet. Fortunately for me, I had a friend who worked in a surf shop in Orlando, so he was able to send me a pair without me fretting over the half a paycheck I would have spent.

My friends, never has there been such a friendship as Abby and her Rainbows. We’ve been through a lot together. Many a late-night summer wanderings, walks on the boardwalk, 10 weeks on a Summer Project mission trip, running through the rain to avoid ruining my precious leather sandals, falling in love, lazying around a honeymoon resort and more.

The pair pictured below is my 2nd pair of the hallowed footwear, and it is with great regret that I must retire them. But first, a few words;

Dear Rainbows, you’ve served me well. I wish we could frolick together through infinite summers, but alas, I respect you too much to degrade you any further by continuing to wear away at your layers. Your time has come to rest and retire, to live out the rest of your days in peace. May you enjoy the darkness of my closet to which I now send you, and may you never smell of rain-soaked leather ever again. Adieu my friend, my partner, my precious. Love, Gollum Abby.

As you can see, my sandals were in no fit state to be making any more public appearances.

So we went down to Burt’s Surf Shop and found a new pair with which to make memories!

Happy Monday!