Last summer, Thom and I started a new tradition for our wedding anniversary gift –Shoes & Tattoos.  We both love a nice pair of shoes and thus own way too many of them plus we had never gotten tattoos.  So, off we went to buy gorgeous shoes and then went under the needle to get inked by a Seattle tattoo artist.  Did it hurt?  HELL.  YES.  But, as we are crazy adventuresome folk who love creating special moments not to be forgotten, we loved our new tradition.  Our kids both thought we were crazy but reacted differently–Hannah asked, “Who ARE you people?” and James got himself a large Celtic cross inked on his upper arm.  Love them both!

For my first and only tat, I got a cute little Chinese symbol for happiness in a non-public place and Thom got a big ass Tardis on his upper arm.  Yes, he’s a Dr. Who geek.  While he is considering adding on to his artwork with 9 planets, etc. circling his Tardis (he’s in a science fiction phase), I have advised against getting a tat in China.  All kinds of concerns and red flags are flying about cleanliness and needles/ink being injected into your body, etc.  However, he won’t listen (do men ever??)  and it’s his body so I’ve said my piece and now will get to tell him “I TOLD YOU SO!” when his limbs drop off his body if he proceeds.  Make your choice, Thom.

Fast forward a year to our anniversary just passed and we are now in China not Seattle.  This year, I’m sticking to the much safer tradition of just cool shoes for our 26th wedding anniversary gift.  When in China, DON’T get a tat but DO get custom made shoes—less chance of dying.  After many recommendations from online sources and locals expats, we went to YanYe in the former French Concession area.  After a previous trip, I was all set on a buttery tan leather ankle boot with red accents.  I got to select the leather, designed the style using several different models and picked the red accent pieces.  SHOE HEAVEN!

“Your right foot is bigger than your left foot!” Who knew??  Obviously, Mr. Zhao knows after his careful measuring.  It takes 3-4 weeks including a second fitting to get custom shoes just right.  I can’t wait to see how my unique boots turn out.  Here’s hoping I love my creation because at $250 US, I’ll be wearing them for the rest of my life.  While I wait for my special shoes to be created, Thom will ponder his tattoo design and decide whether or not to go under the needle.

JUST SAY NO!  Shoes are a fashion statement but a tattoo is forever.