As adults, it’s more common to rationalize away things that may actually happen due to luck. It’s probably life experiences that somehow take away the belief or magic that something very unexpected (and lucky) can happen because life has proven otherwise. In the rational mind, there is no magic that can materialize something in front of us that we actually want and I cannot let myself believe that ever happens…unless it is for Lightning McQueen light-up shoes.

My 3 year old son wanted those Lightning McQueen light-up shoes for the last few days since we mentioned we were trying to get him some new shoes. He has a pair of old red Nikes that are way too small for him that he loves. He has another pair of red Nikes that are slightly bigger with a Velcro strap that he doesn’t really wear, so it was time to get him some new shoes he can actually wear everyday (and not have cramped toes!).

We went to go get ice cream this past weekend and decided that it was also going to be shoe shopping day. After ice cream, we went to Nordstrom Rack to see what was there for the kids. The kids shoes section was crazy and shoes were not placed in the correct spot at times, so it made things more difficult when my kids wanted something that was in the right section, but was still the wrong size because the shoes were misplaced. When I looked for shoes for my son, I spotted a pair of black Lightning McQueen shoes. I thought it was the exact same pair I saw on Amazon, so I quickly grabbed it to show my son. I kneeled down and asked him what those shoes were and what number was on the shoes (since he know Lightning is 95). I felt like a hero for finding those for him. He looked at the shoes and was really happy that they were in his size. Upon closer inspection, the number was not 95…it was 92! I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t meant to be and I told my son the bad news. He took it well and I put the shoes back.

After a few more minutes, my son said he found Lightning McQueen light-up shoes. I told him (without looking) that it was knock-offs and the number was 92. He said it wasn’t and was reaching under the end cap where they hang shoes/socks for the pair of shoes. I looked down and couldn’t believe my eyes…it WAS the red Lightning McQueen light-up shoes! I was a bit nervous to look at the size, but when I did…I saw they were his size. I couldn’t believe my boy’s luck! He was so happy to have the shoes and after checking out, he wanted to wear it right away and wore it in the whole car ride home (and stomping his feet everywhere to make the lights turn on!).

Now if you asked me what the chances of finding Lightning McQueen light-up shoes at Nordstrom Rack that were in my son’s size, I would have told you 0% and bet my next paycheck on it. Those things just don’t happen. If you asked my son the same question, he would say maybe it would be there. He doesn’t understand that Nordstrom Rack has random inventory and that the Cars movies are old…and why would they even make those shoes now only to be sitting at Nordstrom Rack? My rational brain deduced that there was no point in thinking it would be there. I’m glad I was wrong and now I have a happy son that smiles when he stomps his feet to get his shoes to light up - and honestly it lights me up on the inside as well!