Dear coworkers (past and present),

As the saying goes, “You can chose your friends, but you can’t chose your family.” Well, you can’t chose your coworkers either, so I guess that makes you all kind of like my second family. Except I would chose each and every one of you as friends, a thousand times over. You have all made me the worker and, most importantly, the quirky human that I am today. What a journey it has been, and you’ve held my hand each step of the way.

Being painfully shy, getting a customer service job was the best/worst thing to ever happen to me. I actually had to talk to people. (I know, I know, I can’t believe you hired me either). I remember my first day working retail, I hid behind a clothing rack for about ten minutes because I didn’t know how to talk to customers. I know some of you probably thought I didn’t like you because I didn’t know how to talk to you, either. (Now you probably wished I shut up).

Never once did you give up on me.

Friends bring out your best qualities, and that’s exactly what you did to me. Maybe it was your job to do so, but maybe it was your overwhelmingly warm hearts that reached out to me. I think as customer service workers we are naturally inclined to want to help one another. For this reason, every one of you is inspiring; you are all my role models. Whenever I go to work, I think, “I wish I could be more like you.”

Family accepts you no matter what. Family has your back. I know if I need you, you’ll be there for me. You listen, you care, and you want the best for me. It’s a professional relationship nonetheless, but it’s also one that's filled with understanding, support, and an endless amount of laughter.

Past coworkers—I miss you so much. Some of you I still see, but some of you I don’t. I just want you to know that where ever you are, keep chasing your dreams and know that I am thinking of you. I do think of you often, and I hope you’re all happy.

Current coworkers—Whenever I see you next, I know that when I come to work you will greet me with a smile, a genuine “how are you doing?”, and will brighten my day.

You have changed me—I am no longer hiding behind large objects to avoid human interaction.

You have made me laugh so hard I peed, more than once.

You have made me a better person, and that’s what friends and family are for.

You are my second family and my first friends. I know I don’t always come to work in the best mood or in the correct dress code (always by mistake). How lucky am I to say that I work in an environment that is so open and full of amazing people that I never feel like I am working! Except on Mondays because they are THE WORST. Even so, working with you will always be THE BEST.

Thank you, I appreciate you, and I love you,

The Shy Associate