“Delightfully strange” is how we were described by one of Thom’s friends today when he explained on his social media that we were about to celebrate our 27th Anniversary with our “shoes and tattoos” tradition.  What–doesn’t everyone inject their body with ink and buy ridiculously expensive and fabulous shoes on their wedding anniversary?  If not, I am so sad for all of you.  Start living the delightfully strange life like us–it’s never too late to start!  An anniversary dinner might taste good but a tattoo and quality shoes last forever.

We started our tattoo tradition just before leaving on our adventure to live in China.  I got the Chinese symbol for happiness and Thom got a Dr. Who time machine, more commonly called a Tardis, on his arm… that’s not strange, right?  In China, we had to pause on the inking due to health concerns and wanting to live another day but we did get amazing handmade, custom shoes to celebrate.

This year, we stumbled upon a charity event at the John Fluevog store in Vancouver and enjoyed a lovely evening of music, booze and shoes when they kindly invited us in to partake.  Walking out, we agreed that we just had to have our own Fluevog shoes to celebrate this year’s anniversary.  When I saw the yearly sale ad for their local store here in Seattle, off we went to find a deal, not that those quality quirky shoes aren’t worth $300+ but I at least have to imagine I am on a budget and care about my credit card balance.  We scored some awesome boots, black with silver highlights for me and green for Thom because he is Irish after all.  Tucked away in their burlap bags with the company mantra on it, they will stay in their boxes until anniversary day.  Now on to the tattoos!

Thom is thinking of a horse theme for his tattoo to commemorate 2014 spent  in China during the Year of the Horse.  We brought back a lovely heavy-as-hell stone horse statue but I guess he wants that “on body” constant reminder of our expat experience.  I’ve decided to stay with my Chinese theme as well and have the symbol for Peace stenciled onto my body opposite the Happiness symbol in a place that will remain nameless.  Some things are better left unshared. It is a simple design with a strong message that no one but Thom will see, except a stranger who will hopefully be quick and talented.  DAMN that inking hurts.

So, 27 years after we “officially” started our adventure by the pool in Key West when we eloped (at my mother’s suggestion to avoid a wedding at their house and after my lawyer sister got Thom his divorce right before the wedding), we will ink up and wear our snazzy boots and continue our great adventure!  It’s off to Italy next for us with a fall trip being planned now. Can’t wait to explore the Cinque Terre with my best friend and the love of my life!  Together forever with lots more shoes and tattoos in our future-OH MY THE FUN WE WILL HAVE!