A Love Story

It has been pointed out to me that I have not blogged recently...I think I was just waiting for this moment.

I had the great honour of watching my sister and Paul Bunyan get engaged today. It was wonderfully romantic and all is well in Lauraland. I was however concerned lest she inadvertently flash her new rock out to sea and cause a ship to become confused and head into the new lighthouse at Haystack Rock. I must say that it was a good thing that she started going to the gym or I don't know if her poor body would be able to bear the stress of the added carat weight!

Now on to my news.

Yesterday was possibly the best day of my life.

Let me just preface this story with a little background information. Last summer I was introduced to "Kathy" and I fell in love. My client's mom, Bonny, brought Kathy in to meet me and I was immediately drawn to her. Style, Charms, Colour....she is the whole bag....literally. Her full name is Kathy Van Zeeland and in my opinion, she designs the most beautiful handbags on the planet.

When you have a Kathy you do not carry it, you wear it. They are available in oh so many colours and they all have her signature silver filigree and crystal charms dangling and tinkling so enticingly off of their comfort padded straps. She adds a signature decal of bling to each one as well. Each sighting of a Kathy was enough to make my heart soar and my hand reach out of its own accord and wistfully caress her. This was often unappreciated by the general public, but who were they to deny me my pleasure?

Still, Kathy and I had only a passing fancy, for though I loved her, alas, I am cheap and Canadian. What do these things have to do with the other? Good question. Sit grasshopper and listen while Tina explains.

Kathy's are an American brand. When they cross over that imaginary line we call the border, they somehow jump in price. What costs $89 state side becomes 110 canuck coins. Fair? I think not, but this is life on the sunny side of the septic tank friends. Since there was no way on God's green earth that I could justify spending that much to bring her home, Kathy and I seemed doomed to our furtive encounters in the mall. I combed Ebay and still came up with the now familiar ache in my bosom. It seemed that Kathy and I would never be able to take our relationship to the next level.

Then a magnificent think happened. I became a Gypsy. Guess what? Gypsies cross borders!

Three weeks ago we entered the USA and my Kathy Quest renewed its intensity.

Fast Forward!

Yesterday my sister and PB were due to arrive in Portland at 7:45 pm. We set out bright and early from Cannon Beach. I had it in my mind that maybe today was the day, but like a nine and a half month pregnant woman I had nearly run out of hope that the day would ever come.
We entered a Portland mall and I cast a disappointed look around. There was nary an upscale department or shoe store to be found. I stumbled sadly into Dress Barn where a well meaning sales lady asked if she could be of assistance. Despondent, I sighed that I couldn't find my love.

She thought for a minute, scribbled something down on a Post It and wished me luck.

Slowly, I unfolded the tiny scrap of hope and read "Burlington Coat Factory, Jantzen Lake Centre."

Quickly I rounded up Michael and the kids and loaded them into the truck. I punched the precious information into the GPS and prayed that she would be able to find her way.

Calculating Route.

Left turn in 300 meters.

She knew where to go and hope began to unfurl in me like a fern frond in the prairie spring.

Traffic seemed to magically part as Sylvie gracefully wove her way along the interstates. Maggie gently urged us on with her "Keep to the left" and "Exit in one kilometre" reminders. I slid into the parking lot, coasted to a stop and called back over my shoulder to meet me inside as I sprung from the truck and into the mall.

Smiling politely but not bothering to stop for chit chat, I breezed past the greeter/security guard and into the store. My barren shoulders seemed to sense which way to turn as I hurried past jewellery, clothes and shoes to the Handbag department. The overhead lighting focused all of its energy and shone down on the Kathy's like the sun breaking through an overcast Oregon sky as I rounded the final corner into a whole row of my favourite gleaming handbags!

There was black, bronze, green, silver, ruby, cobalt, mustard and gold. There was patent and flat, crinkle, smooth and quilted. I floated over on my cloud and turned over the price tag. $44.95! That is when the first tear slipped from my eye. Another soon followed when I remembered that Oregon is the Land of No Taxes!

I skipped down the aisle filling my arms with all my pretty babies. I swear I could hear their little voices saying "Me too!" and "Pick me!" Almost intoxicated, I stumbled out of the aisle and cornered several ladies to tell them about the best day of my life. One kind soul passed me a tissue for the tears and drool and another kindly pointed out that it was possible that I may not need two of the bronze belted shoppers.

I realized that my family would soon be catching up and I needed to spend some time narrowing the purchase field as I was almost positive that the budget nazi would not let me adopt eleven little Kathy's. I made my way to the lingerie department and lined them all up on the carpet before sitting down with them. One by one, I picked them up, had a little snuggle and let them down easy. We said our goodbyes until finally there were just three of them and me. I took the others back and lovingly placed them on their shelves.

Now for the three. By now I had an emotional bond with them. The Moss Patent Buckle Up Shopper; the Black Patent Buckle Up Crinkle Shopper and the Gold Patent Hobo bag. I held them all to me hearing the pleasant tinkle of their charms bouncing with glee at being off of the hangar and agonized at my choice. How do you choose between three loves? The gold was on clearance so it became an automatic winner. For $34.95 only a fool would say no. But the moss and the black...who could choose?

Michael.

Michael would choose for me.

Nervously, I introduced them all and he showed them the respect that Kathy's are due. OK....he may have been a little frightened. He has seen me watch QVC with tears dripping off of my chin with the sheer angst of want. He has listened to me describe the dreams that they have appeared in and has assured me time and time again that I would know the right one when I saw it.

"Pass them to me."

"What! Why! You can't put them back! They love me!"

"Tina, pass them to me."

"Why! I can't!"

"Pass them."

The green went, followed grudgingly by the black.

"The gold one, too."

"Nooooo! Honey... it's on sale! I can't leave without it!"

"The gold one, too."

I passed it over and after a short tug of war and gently peeling my fingers back, all three Kathy's rested in Michael's arms. I tried to inconspicuously wipe away my tears as I saw my hopes come crashing around me like the waves at Haystack Rock.

Then....

He held out the gold to me.

"Happy Birthday."

The black.

"Happy Anniversary."

The green.

"Merry Christmas"

Do I have a great husband or what? I am still a little light-headed thinking about how thankful I am. How fitting that this weekend it Canadian Thanksgiving, for I am indeed blessed.

As for the mustard...I hear my Mom is sending money for Christmas!