Embracing Purple

There is irony found in the color.

Perhaps without reason (or perhaps with) I have throughout the years been a self-proclaimed loather of purple. For some reason, I turn my nose up at the presentation of purple in all of it's forms. No one is quite sure why, myself included. But this is a legitimate, long-standing conviction I've held. Visibly making faces when presented this as a color option in my wedding flowers, I declared no purple be present in any bouquets! No purple! It's been a running joke in my family.

My search for baby room decorations were insistent on no evidence of purple. I sought blues, yellows, and greens. I picked clothes out in tones of grey, brown, orange, and blacks and whites. I begrudgingly allowed the presence of pink to be present, but honestly, not without convincing and in minimal presentation. Pink, as it turns out, is just too precious to pass up in little girl form.

But purple, I stuck to my convictions of No Purple! No Purple! Be allowed in my little girls room or attire.

And so, naturally, Caris began to show preference for the purple. And as a tongue-in-cheek fun, my mom began to indulge the purple. It became a thing. Caris always choosing the purple clothes. Purple being her first color recognized and a clear word utilized. And then enter purplicious.

So I am embracing the purple. Dressing Caris in the color multiple times a week, seeking out purple ice cream, and finding purple accessories to make our purplicious girl smile. Purple, it seems, has made it's way into my wardrobe, my decor, my vocabulary. Caris requests purple clothes and purple shoes, and I don't argue.

Embracing the purple. Clearly metaphorical, teaches me so much. Caris is already such a strong personality. She is fully Caris. She is sweet, loving, strong-willed, opinionated, bossy, sensitive, moody, hilarious. Introverted at times and loving the center of attention the next. She is attentive to detail, particular, creative, and stubborn. And this is evident before she is two. Caris will be who she is. Pieces revealing themselves over time. In the friends she chooses, hobbies preferred, career desired, interests invoked. And likely, wearing purple.

And whatever projections, imaginations, pre-conceived notions I have or had of my first born are side notes. Yes, my little C may love rocks and trees and birds as I dreamed when I created her nature themed room. She loves books, as I both hoped and feared (you would too if you saw her Dad's book collection and associated expenses).

But unpredicted, she also loves all things fancy. Glitter shoes. Fancy Nancy. Boas. Tutus. Bows. Dresses. Performing. Dancing. Purses. And Pink. And mostly Purple. Shoes were her third word. Purse was her second. Purple is definitely her most used.

So I put my carefully chosen neutrals in the back of the closet. I allow her to choose her purple. And today, I totally gave in and let her wear purple sparkly dress shoes to school. And I sat back and inwardly laughed as she pranced around in a frilly tutu and girly tights. These things make her smile. They express her joy. They are of her choosing.

I hope I remember this lesson throughout the seasons of life we travel with Caris. In whatever form Purple takes throughout our lives. I hope that I remember to embrace it as fully Caris.

Because you know what? The purple flowers my florist snuck in totally make the arrangement. And the new purple clothes I've added to my wardrobe have received many a compliment. And I even surprisingly found myself looking for purple bedding for our big-girl room (clearly, the more classically toned. I may be embracing, but I have my limits).

We can all benefit by welcoming a bit of unexpected Purple into our lives. And embracing its impact. I have my little purplicious lady to thank for the addition of color to my life. I'm sure there is much more to come.