Sole searching no longer

Forget the 18-hour bra. I am in favor of the 24hour sandal.

Birkenstocks are the most comfortable shoe in the world. Long school days followed by long nights are less stressful when my dependable sandals comfortably sheath my feet.

Amy Gassen newseditor

I bought my first pair of the wonderful brown double strapped sandal with a back strap in high school. I purchased them at the mall.

Now I am addicted. I cannot go back. Since then, I have acquired six additional pairs at QVC.

The second pair I bought were black triple strapped without a back. I can easily slide them on and off before scampering to my 9:35. In the winter, I opt to layer them with socks. I also have a collection of striped socks with individual toe holders.

• My yellow Birkis are waterproof. These are a great addition to my shoe collection because I can wear them to work. I am a lifeguard and my feet, along with the rest of me are normally wet. This pair also features my favorite color. I slip into my yellow Birkis and I am automatically in a cheerier mood. I have two other pairs of slides in navy and purple. The navy pair is perfect for when I have to dress up a little and the spunky purple pair is my "fun pair."

For a bit of variety, I added a pair of Birkenstock clogs to my collection. While I am in favor of the open toed shoe, sometimes the outfit just does not go with sandals. For these occasions, I slip into my clogs. They are a more sophisticated look, yet the same great feel as the original sandal.

A triple strapped silver sandal is my newest addition. These ribbed shoes sparkle when I walk. I feel like Cinderella off to the ball when I slip them on my feet. Already, the cling and cushion every hill and valley of the bottom of my feet.

But, as with many things, the first are always the best. Although there are many holes in the bottom of the shoe and they can talk more languages than I can, I still hold on to my old faithful first pair. They may not be suitable to take out, but they know every crevice of my feet and do not c<?mplain. You just do not throw away something so wonderfully loyal as that.