once upon a time I had a pair of sunglasses...

In 2008, I buy a pair of Chanel sunglasses. They fit my face perfectly.  I feel glamorous in them.  They hide many flaws.  I am happy.

A year later I lose them.  I try on many others to replace them but none fit as well.  I go to Bloomingdales and re-buy the exact same pair.

Over the years these sunglasses withstand much abuse.  Twice, I have to have an arm (or more formerly, a temple) replaced, as twice one falls off — first the left and later the right.    But for $45 each time, my local eyeglass place is happy to send them out and get them fixed.

On Friday, after M and I leave Ikea, I notice my sunglasses are missing.  I check my pockets.  I check my tote.  I check everywhere.  They are gone.  Then I look down at my feet, and there, on the floor of M’s car, are my glasses. This time, it is more than an arm that is broken.

Now they are dead.  And because this model is no longer available, I won’t be able to replace them.   M suggests I try taking them back to Bloomingdales.  Even I think this would be an impossible return.  But then, I really have nothing to lose. 

I come home and request my February 2009 statement from American Express and a day later it is available for download.  I even find the original Chanel sunglass box.  I have everything I need.

On my way to Bloomingdales today I call my mother.  She laughs at the absurdity of my plan.  I don’t blame her; the idea does seem ridiculous. 

I get to Bloomingdales.  Knowing this is an executive-level problem, I begin by asking for the manager.  I explain that the sunglasses broke when I dropped them.   I show the manager the American Express statement from four years ago, and handover the original Chanel case.  She asks me to wait a minute.  She comes back (probably from laughing in the stock room) and says, “Why don’t you pick out another pair that you like?”

Wow!   I leave with a gorgeous new pair of Chanel sunglasses, happy that I listened to M.  Here's a photo, though mine have darker lenses.