THANK MY LUCKY SKIRT

Memories are a moment in time that you can hold onto forever.  Overtime, memories can sometimes be hard to recall.  Each time you tell the story you tend to forget a detail, or you may forget an entire sequence of events. It is rare that you find something that triggers you to tell the story exactly the same way each time, and if you do find a gem that triggers this effect in your life-time it is important to never let it go. 

In my case, I was lucky to find my treasure in Italy. At the time, I never imagined that a simple article of clothing would weave my memories among the seams.  I was studying abroad in a country that crawls with energy and beauty. I bounced from Venice to Florence to Rome and lastly to Bologna where I explored as many tastes, touches, sounds and sights that one’s senses could absorb. It was during a day of shopping that I found my skirt in a boutique in the streets of Florence. I was immediately attracted to the asymmetrical shape of the beige skirt as it hung perfectly on the hanger. The Viscose fabric was light and airy. The most striking detail was the three single roses that cascaded down the side. I recall standing in front of a full length mirror turning around in circles to view it from every angle. I was in love with the way it moved, and how confident it made me feel about myself. It is funny how one piece of clothing can change your mood in a matter of minutes. As I looked at my reflection in the mirror I remember saying “I was meant to find this skirt.” 

Looking back on this journey I took many years ago I will skip the exact number of years as to not reveal a woman’s age, I know that the most important detail was the memories it was going to hold of the self exploration trip I had been on. Every time I wear this skirt, I remember the Gondola ride I took in Venice, the wine and cheese I dined on nightly and on an occasional day in Florence, the ruins I walked through in Rome, and the way children interacted with art at such an early age in Bologna. On my way out of the door I take a look in the mirror, but this time I do not find myself saying, “I was meant to find this skirt.” This time I find myself recalling the journey I took in Italy that gave me a piece of what I am today.  I am more confident. I better understand what I want to do. I now know that I love traveling the world. Without this skirt I would not be able to re-tell all of the emotions I felt during that trip. 

The skirt didn’t stop in Italy. As I continued to wear it over the years it kept logging many emotions from different stages of my life.  Such as the accomplishment I felt at graduation from Chapel Hill, the pure joy of dancing while on the town in New York City, sadness when I lost a pitch at work, and love while celebrating my nine month anniversary with my boyfriend. This skirt has a record of so many of my cherished steps.

 I was meant to find this skirt. Every time I put it on my face lights up as any woman does when she wears something new for the very first time. As I get dressed for work, an evening out with friends, or for a Sunday stroll in Central Park, I always take a moment before rushing out my door to look at myself in the mirror as I did that day when we first met in Florence. I always smile back at my reflection because I know that whatever is in store for me will be remembered forever. From the first moment when my hand reaches my door knob and I hear the first click of my heels on the ground I erupt with the same surge of confidence that came over me in the boutique. 

I don’t know when I will wear the skirt next, but I am excited for the next adventure to unfold.