My Best Friend Chuck

For the past 11 years I've had this friend. His name is Chuck! Chuck was introduced to me by an old flame of mine right out of high school. It was love at first sight. Since meeting Chuck we have been through a lot of ups and downs together, and I'm talking literal ups and downs. If I were to guess, over the past 11 years we've probably been on close to 400 hikes together. Over the years Chuck has been very reliable. I know when he goes hiking with me I'm not going to get hurt.... okay well at least not because of him. I'm a ditz, I trip over myself a lot, or I tend to like to walk backwards so I can talk to my friends (who don't sprint down the trail like I tend to do), and sometimes I fall.... into holes.... but never because of Chuck. He's come with me to Zions National Park at least 8 times. It's my favorite place, and you just don't leave your close friends behind when you go to your favorite place. He bravely climbed Angels Landing with me 5 times, even though people looked at me like I was nuts for bringing him a long. He trudged, swam, stomped, and tripped through The Narrows with me 3 times, even though other people brought more 'water resistant' friends. I like bringing Chuck with me; he makes me feel comfortable, he makes me feel rebellious, he has never let me down. I'm not saying Chuck is my only friend, he is just the friend I like to bring with me when I go on adventures. He likes to go biking with me, he likes to run through trees and over red rock with me, he likes to scramble to the tippy tops of mountains with me, he really likes to come with me just about anywhere I go, just as long as it's exciting enough for him.
After 11 years of adventures together Chuck is finally getting old. What should I expect when I drag him over sharp rocks, through muddy waters, up steep hills, and running full speed down mountains. I've doctored him a little bit, and it's kind of helped, but I realize now it's time I face the facts... If I want to keep Chuck around, I need to give him a break. I'm sure most people would tell me it's time to let him go, but I'm sentimental and I want to hang on to him as long as I can.
For the past year I've been keeping my eyes open for a new Chuck, not to replace Old Chuck (I'm still going to keep him around), just to come with me on my new adventures. I do need someone who can keep up with me after all. All my friends tell me I need to stop looking for Chuck and just find someone new, someone more reliable. But I have to argue with them and their fancy 'friends'. I've had Chuck for 11 years, how long have your friends lasted through your adventures? I bet they gave out after a couple years, maybe less even. I bet you have at least 3 different friends for my one. You probably have a friend you taking hiking with you, a different friend to go running with, another friend to go biking with, but I only need 1. Argue with me all you want, tell me I need more support, but I've been with Chuck for 11 years now, and he's never let me down.
Well a couple weeks ago while I was out looking (under the persuasion of my friends) for a new "more supportive"  kind of friend, I saw Chuck. Not my old friend Chuck who is safely home where he belongs, but new Chuck! 2 new Chucks to be exact. I tried to look away, I tried (really hard actually) to find a friend that would make sense to everyone else around me. But as usual instead of listening to the advice of my friends, I had to follow my gut, and stick with the friend I know. Old Chuck was my perfect match for a long time; beautiful, black, and slim, but new Chuck needed to be different. I'm almost 30, I need all the help I can get to keep the kid in me alive since so much is trying to make me 'grow up'. New Chuck needs to keep me feeling young and fun. So as I stood there staring at these 2 new Chucks, deciding which one would should be my new friend; Grey with polka dots, or Turquoise; I of course went with the one I knew would fit me best! Turquoise! Turquoise with flowers hidden under the upper tongue for when I'm feeling extra kiddish. My New Turquoise Chucks!
I wore my new Chucks to Boot Camp the same night I got them (against the advice of many friends). After an hour of intense boot camp training my arms, my back, my legs, and my head all hurt.... Really bad I might add. But my feet they felt great :) So you can keep buying your expensive running shoes, hiking shoes, biking shoes and workout shoes.... I'll stick with my friend Chuck...... At least until I can afford those Five Ten Women's Approach shoes I've been eyeing all year ;)