We used to be BFFs, my Loft pants and me.  We went everywhere together - the office, volunteering at the kids' school, out to dinner, even to fancy dress parties.  When I would stop in and visit my pants during my lunch hour, the sales associates would joke that I must secretly be the fit model - because those pants always looked like they'd been tailored just for me.  We were like two peas in a pod.

But people and, apparently, pants, evolve and change.  We grew to have less in common.  You, my dear pants, got all "modern" and started hanging out with girls like Marissa and Julie and who knows who.  I got a hysterectomy and gray hair and lost my girlish figure.  Our encounters became awkward and ill-fitting.  We became nodding acquaintances at best.

Then, just yesterday, when I entered the mall-closest-to-my-house, there you were.  In a new location right by the entrance.  My last trip to said mall had ended in frustration since I still hadn't found cropped chinos for the coming season.  I remembered sweet Angie's recommendation that you were offering some lovely ones.  So I thought - what the heck?  Why not stop in for a little visit and reminiscing over our good times together.  

I admit, things were a little awkward at first.  Your new abode is split up into all these tiny rooms, unlike your former airy and open space.  The racks are closer together and were jam-packed.  When I finally found the chinos, they were pink and lavender - not exactly my cup of tea.  But finally, we connected over a lovely pair in bottle green.  I held my breath as I entered the dressing room, but once I zipped and buttoned those chinos, the ice was broken.  No muffin top, no saggy butt - just glorious 98%-cotton-with-just-a-touch-of-lycra-perfection!  

Before we knew it, it was just like old times.  The light gray cropped jeans fit perfectly, too.  (Yes, they are skinny, Angie - sorry!)  And while your corporate masters didn't see fit to produce the perfect chinos in tan in petite sizes, you introduced me to a lovely more refined sateen pair in a perfect British tan.  I walked out the door with 3 pair of pants and an on-line order of 4 more.  

I did get so caught up in the moment that I also walked out with a sunflower yellow shift dress that I'm pretty sure is completely age-inappropriate.   But that's okay - I saved the receipt.