I remember the day like it was yesterday…the day I first laid my eyes on Kate…

The day my love affair began, started as a somewhat hum-drum day, I washed a load of laundry, cleaned house, and in between other household duties; played peek-a-boo with my new born son. Since I became a mother and full-time homemaker, my life had definitely moved into a different direction than what I expected. I once spent countless hours devouring anything and everything that had to do with the fashion industry. My very breath of life depended on what the designers were showing during fashion week. Now, with the birth of my new baby, I noticed that my priorities had changed a bit and I found myself itching for my true passion.

Since there wasn’t much happening around the house, I decided that a little window shopping would awaken my senses. So, I bundled up my son, grabbed what had now become my handbag…my Winnie the Pooh diaper bag; and headed to the trendy shops of Old Town Pasadena. My son and I spent the afternoon wandering through many of the stores without making a single purchase. I happened upon Saks Fifth Avenue where I decided to change my son’s diaper. I asked a sales woman for directions to the Ladies Room. She instructed me to go past handbags to the elevator. I thanked her and began to follow the directions that were given. As I passed through the handbag department, for no apparent reason, I glanced over my shoulder…and that’s when I first laid my eyes upon Kate.

There she was, in all of her glory, on display behind a glass case. It was as if an angelic light shined down on her. I believe I heard angels singing! I stopped dead in my tracks and stood directly across from her. She was, in my opinion, the most exquisite handbag I had ever seen. Yes, you read it right…handbag!

It had an uncomplicated rectangular shape; made of boar skin leather; two short straps adorned with gold hardware and a delightful warm-orange color. I began to imagine how perfect the handbag would be with several pieces in my wardrobe. I visualized myself attending a fashion show dressed in my wool crepe black pant suit; a crisp white shirt; loads of pearls draping around my neck; and in one hand a cafe latte and the other… the stunning orange creation.

I was suddenly awakened from my fantasy by a fashionably dressed sales woman, whom asked, “Would you like to see this handbag?”

I hesitated before answering, “Yes, yes I would.”

As she turned to retrieve the bag, I immediately began to regret my decision. “What am I doing?” I thought to myself. “I can’t afford that purse!”

The sales woman then asked if I were a fan of Kate Spade. I tried not to appear naive. I had never heard of Kate Spade. So, I answered, “Yes, I love Kate Spade.”

As the woman placed the bag on the glass counter in front of me, she began to tell me that the bag was from Kate’s new fall line. I picked up the bag and began to run my fingers over its perfect shape. I felt the texture of the leather beneath my fingertips. I opened the bag and saw that it was lined with soft, ginger colored suede. As I took a closer look, I then realized that the name Kate Spade was embossed on the outside. So, this is Kate Spade…how extraordinary! With great apprehension, I asked the woman the cost of my dream bag. She proceeded to unzip the inside private compartment and examined the price tag. “It’s $485.” (I will not tell you my thoughts at that point and will simply move on to the remainder of the day.)

I drove home that day, void of the Kate Spade handbag, and in utter disappointment. How could I justify making such an extravagant purchase? How could I convince my husband that a handbag that cost more than our minivan payment would be worth every penny? During dinner that evening, I sat across from my husband, quietly eating my meal; spooning rice cereal to my infant son and eye-balling the stack of bills on our kitchen counter. I wondered how and if I should tell my husband about the handbag. As the evening progressed, I could not bring myself to say one word to my husband about my new acquaintance – Kate. I lay awake that night. My mind produced a mental fashion show that consisted of every ensemble in my wardrobe that would benefit from the chic luxury.

Several months later, as the Christmas season approached, my husband and I ventured into Nordstrom to begin our holiday shopping. While browsing through ladies accessories, I noticed a table full of sale handbags. I walked over to the table and gave it a quick once-over. At first glance, nothing in particular caught my eye, but as I began to walk away and rejoin my husband, I noticed a hint of orange that was all too familiar. “Could it be…?” I began to haphazardly remove the bags from, what I hoped would be, and there she was; hidden beneath a sea of black and brown bags. My dear friend Kate…I had not seen her in over six months and now there she was, buried on a table with other bags; that had once had their glory behind the glass case. With loving care, I hoisted Kate up from the table and reacquainted myself with her beauty.

Somehow, with all the excitement, I failed to notice that my husband had made his way over to my side. I turned to face him and stated, “Isn’t this a pretty handbag?”

Without much excitement he said, “Yeah.” (Yeah, Is that all he could say.) I went on to say, “I really like this purse. I’ve been dreaming about it since summer. Wouldn’t you like to give me this for a Christmas present?”

My tact was not very subtle, however, I had been separated from my citrus colored friend for a very long time and I didn’t want to risk losing her again. Like a true husband, he then stated the words that previously made my toes curl…”How much is it?”

I unzipped the private compartment and pulled out the price tag. “$285; It’s been marked down from $485.” “What do you think?”

Much to my surprise, my husband smiled and told me that if the purse is what I wanted; then yes, he would buy it for my Christmas present.

It has now been ten delightful years since my husband invited Kate to come and dwell with us. My affections have not faltered for her in the least. Over the years, I have become quite acquainted with Kate Spade. I have met many of her other creations. I’ve grown to know her designs without seeing the, now famous, Kate Spade embossing. I often describe her style as classic with a wink. The designs are chic yet playful; classic yet quirky and always with an element of surprise. Like a dear friend that I can always rely on; I constantly rely on Kate to add zest and an element of colorful surprise to my day (wink).

By Glenda Harrison

Article Source: ezinearticles.com