Photo by Donald Tong
I started my first job when I was 16 and a junior in high school. I wasn’t really looking for a job at the time when this opportunity fell into my lap. I was young, semi-wild, and somewhat free. Was I really responsible enough for a job?
Luckily, I had a few friends that were already working at the restaurant that I got hired at. I walked in and saw a couple friendly faces and I was instantly relieved.
As time went on, the co-workers I had started this job with went their separate ways. My heart was sad, but I knew this was just a part of life. I still miss them terribly, but all of them are killin’ the game and they are ALL wildly successful now.
Fast forward to today, I have a brand new set of co-workers. I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade this group for anything in this world.
This group has seen me at my best and at my worst.
They have been there for me every time life has hit me in the face, and I have failed.
They have been there for me through every single tear that I shed when I was at the lowest point of my life.
They were there for me even when I wasn’t working there for 10 months while I was an hour and 15 minutes away from them. I heard from each of them on a weekly basis and each time they let me know that I was missed.
They accepted me back with open arms when I decided to move back home.
They are the first ones to congratulate me and support every crazy dream that I have.
Okay… don’t get me wrong, we have had our fair share of fights. Sometimes we are at each other’s throats. But, I promise you by the end of the night, apologies are said, and everything is back to normal.
This group of people are not just co-workers or friends, they’re family. I promise that you will never find a group of people closer than we are.
So, to my co-workers, here’s to all of the good, the bad and the ugly. Here’s to the late nights at the store when we’re all absolutely exhausted, but we keep on laughing anyways. Here’s to the millions of Spongebob references that we make during one shift. Here’s to the late night food runs we so desperately need after getting our butts kicked on a Friday night. But, most importantly, here’s to many, many, many, more years of friendship.
There is absolutely no one else I’d rather go through this crazy life with. Thank you.