She Strengthens

The Unlikely Path to Luxury

Growing Up Frugal

My parents’ journey to the United States was not an easy one. My dad’s first job was as a Chinese takeout deliveryman, where he would often stand in the rain for minutes, calculating whether the cost of a phone call to my mom was worth the twenty-five cents. In those early years, they made sacrifices, forgoing luxuries like movies and air conditioning to save every penny.

A Life of Hard Work and Sacrifice

My mom wore the same threadbare pajamas she had brought from China, while my dad donned a worn Yankees cap and a faded “I Survived a New York City Taxicab Ride!” T-shirt. They were fixtures of the New York City subway system, never once setting foot in a yellow cab. Over the years, they worked tirelessly, saving enough to pay off our condo in Queens, opening and closing a store in Greenwich Village, and purchasing properties in China.

A Glimpse into Their World

As a teenager, I helped out at my dad’s store in the Village, where he sold counterfeit goods like purses, watches, and sunglasses. I’d polish the fake watches and glue Kate Spade labels onto purses, all while learning to appreciate the secret handshake of affordable luxury. My dad would visit his distributor friends in Chinatown, sifting through large plastic bags of goods, examining the quality and negotiating prices.

My mom, on the other hand, spent over twenty years as a Registered Nurse, working the night shift to be home when I returned from school. She’d share stories of difficult patients and colleagues, all while sipping coffee and slurping wontons. Her dedication to her work was admirable, but it meant she and my dad rarely saw each other, living separate lives around their respective work schedules.

A New Chapter

Years later, my dad closed his store and began working for the Post Office, taking pride in his work and delivering mail efficiently. My mom retired early, and I pursued higher education. When my dad asked me to buy a purse for my mom’s sixtieth birthday, I was tasked with finding a brand she’d recognize without breaking the bank.

The Daunting Task of Luxury

As I researched online, I realized how little I knew about what was fashionable or “cool” in the world of purses. Alexander Wang? Michael Kors? The concerns seemed trivial, but they presented real roadblocks to my selection. After much deliberation, I chose the iconic Louis Vuitton Speedy.

The Irony of It All

As I thought about the watch and purse, I couldn’t help but smile at the bittersweet irony of it all. My dad had sold counterfeit goods for years, and now they were in a position to own the real thing. My mom would treasure her Louis Vuitton, and my dad would proudly wear his watch. To outsiders, they might seem like just another couple with luxury goods, but to them, these items represented a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.

A Legacy of Humility

Years of grinding against the American Dream had instilled in my parents a deep humility and frugality. They carried the weight of their struggles with them, etched into their skin. As they enjoyed the finer things in life, they remained suspicious of excess, always mindful of their roots.

In the end, it was not about the brands or the prices; it was about the love and appreciation they had for each other, and the journey they had shared together.