‘Sole’ Mates for Life: Inside Murray State College’s shoe tree custom
School is a kind of locations the place love usually blossoms, typically as soon as, typically twice. And whereas many faculties can boast of affection tales, there’s one college the place romance is actually “written within the sneakers.” Welcome to Murray State College, the place a novel and heartwarming custom makes love a bit extra magical: The Shoe Tree.
For many years, the Shoe Tree has been a logo of tolerating love at Murray State, a spot the place school {couples} depart a mark of their affection, actually. The custom dates again to round 1965, and it’s develop into one of the romantic customs in US universities. {Couples} who meet at Murray State and fall in love have been hanging their sneakers on a particular tree, believing it brings them lifelong good luck.
The origins of this whimsical custom are shrouded in thriller. Some say it started as a scholar artwork challenge, whereas others imagine it was a unusual answer when a scholar didn’t need to carry sneakers again house after shifting out of a residence corridor. However the preferred story is that it symbolizes the devotion between two individuals who discovered love on the college campus.
No matter the way it began, the Shoe Tree has develop into a beloved custom, and college students proceed to make it part of their love story. Many write their anniversaries on their sneakers earlier than tying them to the tree, marking milestones of their relationships. For individuals who return years later, it is common so as to add a child shoe as a logo of progress and household.
Right here’s a enjoyable reality: The present Shoe Tree is definitely the third one! The primary tree was struck by lightning and tragically caught fireplace, whereas the second tree was taken down in 2015 as a consequence of its deteriorating state, based on the official web site of the college. However the spirit of the custom lives on, and so does the love that binds the scholars of Murray State College.
