My freshman year of college I bought a new belt. Partly because my old one didn't fit and partly because I wanted to fit in with the current style on campus. That twenty-five dollar, Friday night JCPenny purchase seemed very expensive at the time.

It's now well worn and stretched out; because I'm still rocking it almost daily. Maybe it's the sentimental value or maybe it's just a great belt, but I can't seem to find a replacement. Twelve years – and multiple new belt purchases – later, I've learned that quality and value can be found in the most unexpected places.