LIESBETH AND THE VALENTINO BOOTS,

part 2.

As you could readn I worked up a sweat behind my MacBook last week because I was embroiled in a fierce battle for The Perfect Valentino Boots. After disappointment after disappointment, I had finally resigned myself to the fact that these boots and I were just not meant to be by the universe. Maybe it was for the best, it just wasn't meant to be and I had to move on with my life [insert dramatic violin music]. Until the day after the failed chase, I casually took a look at the website where it had gone so wrong before, and then this happened:

THEY WERE BACK IN MY SIZE! Honestly, how that’s possible, no idea, but they were there. Just one pair left. Then it was a matter of immediately taking action. As you may recall, I no longer have credit cards because they were taken from me in Rio, but luckily Josselin had already offered that I could borrow her credit card in case they ever came online again. Joss wasn't in the office that day, Jet was, although she was in the restroom at the moment I saw them. I seriously ran up to her saying; “JET THEY'RE BACK I NEED TO BORROW YOUR CREDIT CARD NOW NOW NOW NOW.”

Due to previous traumas, I immediately called the webshop again to check that this time the order had really gone through

She didn't have it with her. Panic. Call Joss. “JOS THEY'RE BACK I NEED TO BORROW YOUR CREDIT CARD NOW NOW NOW NOW.” Joss, always good in panicky situations, remained calm and composed and calmly recited her card number and everything seemed to be in order until we got to that damn password window where I also went wrong the first time. “Password? I don't think I have a password.” “Okay, then we will create a password for you now. What is your address? House number? Bank account number?” If I know everything, and I mean everything there is to know and hack about Joss, we have a password and we're closer to the finish than ever.

Just two more clicks and then I get the promised window: “thank you for your order!” Due to previous traumas, I immediately called the webshop again to check that this time the order had really gone through and the girl tells me that indeed it is the case. The battle has been fought, and I have won.

Three days later the doorbell rings and the delivery man is at the door with a gigantic box. “Package for Liesbeth Rasker!” Inside that box is a fire-red shoebox with black letters spelling Valentino Garavani, and in that box are my new loves. They are so beautiful. The leather is so buttery soft. The handmade braid detail around the shaft is so precise and accurately made. The heel is of perfect height and width, the toe just not square and not pointy, but somewhere in between. They also smell so wonderful and oh yes, this is love.

This weekend I wore them for a test run to the supermarket but I'm still in the phase where I'm very afraid they will get damaged and so I'm hysterically careful with them. At the slightest chance of rain, they must stay inside, and I don't dare wear them on the bike yet. That will pass, but not just yet. We need some time. Or well, I need some time.

And that was the love story of Liesbeth and Valentino, who will live happily ever after.