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#89 Melissa Phillips, Non-profit Coordinator

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Melissa Phillips,
Non-profit Coordinator

I purchased these shoes a couple years ago when I decided I was going to commit to a pair of "granola girl" sandals.  I love them because they are incredibly comfy and I'm also a big fan of wearing them with socks in the fall (and let's be real, who doesn't love Velcro?).  Although I haven't had them long, what makes them notable in my mind is the experiences I've had in these shoes since I've bought them—they are associated with so many of my favorite trips and memories.  Over the last couple years, they have supported my feet as I've trekked through waterfalls, canyons, deserts, mountains, dunes, and trails.  I got engaged to my favorite person while wearing these shoes and they have sat around many campfires with close friends.  These shoes were on my feet when I was scared shitless white water rafting and are my go-to dog walking & Chicago exploring shoes. I guess you could say that I've lived more "life" in these shoes than any other pair that I own.

I haven't really thought about it until right now writing this, but these shoes make me feel insane amounts of gratitude for the experiences I've been blessed with & for the opportunity to create a life worth living in dorky adventure sandals.