Who knew a simple shoe could have so many people so invested? The story of Justine Gager's lost Birkenstock is not just about a missing shoe; it's about the power of community Facebook groups when they're used for good, rather than whining about rubbish bins not being collected or why the police helicopter is circling overhead.
Justine lives on the Hibiscus Coast and recently posted on the local Facebook page that she'd lost her left size 37 black Birkenstock after wearing it only once. "To be honest, I didn't think I would find my shoe," Justine told Robert & Jeanette on our Auckland breakfast show. "But I kind of hoped that somebody might have a spare left knocking around somewhere."
To her surprise, Justine's Birkenstock had actually been found back in November by a local named Jeremy, who had then posted on Facebook, "Anyone missing a brand new Birkenstock? Found at the entrance to the leisure center this afternoon. PM me if you're hopping around and think it's yours … brand spanking new."
Justine, however, hadn't seen Jeremy's initial post, but her eventual Facebook post about her lost Birkenstock caught the eye of Jeremy's partner. The pieces of the puzzle then fell into place. Locals who had commented on the post quickly became invested, with some jokers commenting that "it was a miracle" and "the universe has aligned... I hear angels singing in chorus!"
Justine confirmed that the shoe was indeed hers and discovered her post was in the nick of time, as Jeremy was contemplating giving the lost Birkenstock to his dog as a chew toy.
Robert & Jeanette likened Justine's story to a modern-day Cinderella tale - when social media is used for good! With a chuckle, Rob said to Justine, "We're already talking to Julia Roberts to play you in a potential movie adaptation."
