The zipper broke on Heidi’s leather boot about a week ago (maybe two, but I hate to admit that because… well, just because).  Anyway, after a few days (maybe four) of wearing tennis shoes from last summer she told me they were too small for her.  It was snowing again… so we got away with sending her to school in a pair of hiking boots… then, she was off school all last week for mid-term… Her little gym shoes were working fine around the house and for going out to friends, but really, she needed shoes - badly.  I promised her we would go get them on Friday, but how was I to know Daniel would be up vomiting at 7am Friday morning?  The shoe shopping was rescheduled for Saturday morning… but a walk in the woods with Daddy and friends (which could be done in hiking boots) was much more appealing.  All stores are closed on Sundays in Belgium… (I’ve told you I’m happy to be moving, right?) - So by last night Heidi still had no shoes.

What you may remember about Heidi (if you’ve been around here long) is this:

She has always been an amazing dichotomy of outgoing and timid.  She seems to be a bottomless vessel, hungry for love and reassurance and as you pour them into her, you are never disappointed with the ‘sunlight’ that seems to emanate from her.

Well, me not buying her shoes had developed into “you don’t CARE about me!!” by Sunday bedtime… She still needs, and most likely always will need, more reassurance than the other kids - and on the flip side we have to reminder her constantly to flick the little red guy off her shoulder when he whispers in her ear that Mommy and Daddy don’t love her as much as they do the others…

Last night, I decided I would surprise her by picking her up at lunch time today and taking her shoe shopping.  She climbed into bed with me around 6am this morning (as per usual) and whispered in my ear that she had a good idea “you could get me at lunch time....” When she heard this was already the plan, it was like the sun came out. 

Heidi and I had a picnic lunch in the car, bought her some new shoes and then headed back to school… Her purring - me smile splitting my face.  As she was closing the door of the car I said:

Me: So Heidi, do you feel like I love you again?
Heidi: (rather sheepishly) Yeeeees!
Me: You know I never stopped loving you just because you outgrew all your shoes, right?
Heidi: Yes… but today I got to go with you by myself.

So today, Heidi got new shoes, and I got one of her rays of sunshine!