Merlino Wool on 2.13.25

Merlino Wool Mil-Spec Quarter Crew socks in Natural Wool (Stock Image)

2.13.25

I met a man on the escalator who commented on my speed; we entered the store simultaneously; however, I beat him to the aforementioned escalator in seconds. We were both lost. We departed the escalator at the top floor, and he turned to me. "This isn't the men's department," it was lingerie. I looked around, affirming his suspicions, and told him I thought the men's department was on the ground floor near the purses. We split ways. I find a personal shopper and ask them where I can find socks. "For who?" they ask. "For me, a young woman," I reply. They direct me back to the lingerie section.

I was on a very specific mission, wool socks in cream for an opening reception I anticipated being frigid, I wanted to wear peep toe wedges, & there they were. Cream socks of soft Merlino wool. I laughed to the personal shopper, "I think my mother would kill me if she knew I thought about spending $30 on a pair of socks." and Googled "heat tech wool vs. cotton." I put the socks back on the rack. Nordstrom was the last resort, having already gone to three stores on this hunt.

I pass the same man seated at a bench at the head of the escalator we had jointly departed a few minutes earlier. I smiled, "I hope you find what you're looking for." he asked me if I had, and I told him the whole thing…yes, exactly, but I could not justify it. First, he suggests I go to Costoc, telling me the Columbia socks he's wearing were purchased there in bulk for an absolute steal, and then he realizes, "But you probably want something nicer." I explain what I'm looking for, the material, the cause, the coloration, and then he smiles. "I'll buy them for you for Valentine's Day."

We walk to the counter, where we exchange business cards. I invite him to the reception, and he tells the same personal shopper, "I'm going to buy these for my new friend," and remarks, "It's great to know there are still warm people out there." I thanked him profusely, "I don't want to lose you," and put his card in my purse.