Joe Pa has been the headline here at Song of Sloman for far too long. It’s time for some fresh blood and time for a product plug.

Let me introduce you to some dear friends…

We’ve known each other for, what, 13 years now? Wow! It really does seem like just yesterday. I remember it pretty clearly. It was just a few days before Picture Day my junior year of high school. The first time I saw you guys was at the mall. I was unsure and timid, visiting several times, just sort of casually walking by. Thinking back on it, I guess you could say I was sort of stalker-ish, but we didn’t have Facebook back then, so what was I suppose to do?

I finally got up the courage to walk into the store and say “hello.” It wasn’t nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. You were both very kind and immediately made me feel comfortable. I guess I really never told you how much I obsessed over you before we finally met. Glad we are way past that now.

Anyway, I guess you could say we’ve always sort of had an “on-again, off-again” type relationship. You can be tough and smothering at times, and occasionally I just need space and time to breathe. But you’ve always been there for me when I needed you most… on a cold winter day or when work gets hard and I need extra protection. You never question my motives. You’ve never once put unrealistic expectations upon me or made ridiculous demands. You are flexible, yet still strong and supportive. That’s what I love about you guys most.

Thanks for always being there Dr Martens boots. I hope I’ve been as good a friend to you as you’ve been to me.