The Earrings That Got Away
There’s something about Niagara-on-the-Lake. The charming streets, lined with flowers and quaint boutiques, make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a postcard. My husband and I were strolling there recently, and the very first shop we wandered into caught my eye for one simple reason: in the display case sat the most perfect pair of Chanel earrings I’d ever seen.
Black. Dangling. Not too big, not too small—just right. They had that unmistakable Chanel elegance that works with anything. I immediately pictured them with my birthday dress—the one I’ve already picked out for my big 4-0, still four months away.
The only problem? I’d “accidentally” left my wallet behind (purely coincidental, of course). So I turned to my husband and asked, Should I get them? He smiled and said, “Let’s keep looking. You can always come back later if you really want them.”
I agreed. After all, we had the whole day ahead of us. We wandered the flower-lined streets, popping into shops, laughing, taking it all in. Eventually, we found a cozy spot for dinner. As the waiter placed a frosty sangria in front of me, my mind drifted—back to those earrings. Those double C’s.
By then, it was 6pm. I asked my husband if I should go back. He handed me his card with a smile: “If you’re still thinking about them, go get them.”
So I did. I booked it the whole way—elite speed-walker vibes, but in the least athletic shoes possible. But as I neared the store, my heart sank. The sign had flipped from Open to Closed. The lights were off.
And the window? Empty.
I stood there with that heavy, sinking feeling you get when you’ve missed your chance. I could have bought them the moment I saw them. Instead, I waited. And now, the opportunity had passed.
Life is like that sometimes. We hesitate, waiting for the “perfect” moment—only to find that moment gone. We assume we’ll have more time, but time has other plans.
Sure, I could order them online now, but they’d cost twice as much with shipping. And since they’re vintage, they’re one-of-a-kind. I’d be settling for “similar” instead of exactly what I wanted.
I walked slowly back to the restaurant, feeling oddly defeated. The paradox is that it wasn’t fate that stopped me—it was me. I had the power to make it happen, and I didn’t.
Maybe another pair will come along. Maybe even something better. (Though honestly, is anything really better than vintage Chanel?) That birthday dress might end up with a different set of earrings in November. We’ll see.
And yes, thinking of those earrings adorning someone else’s ears stings a little. But I hope she loves them. I hope she saw them and instantly knew they were hers. Because she had the sense to buy them when they were right in front of her.
Good for her,
LC
*From my unpublished draft archives — in honor of those vintage Chanels I mentioned in the last post. Sigh.
Vibe with Me LC 