Dear coffee,

You may not know it (OK, you do since we meet many, many times a day), but we have a not-so-secret love affair that has been brewing (pun intended) for a few years now. I may not have liked you in high school, but once college hit, you have been my newfound BFF. OK, I will be honest. I’m not too fond of you hot. You tend to always burn my tongue. I know, I know—you’ll say you’re just burning my tongue because you’re so “hot." But really, I prefer your twin sister, iced coffee.

Oh, the wondrous aroma of vanilla, caramel, hazelnut and the like that you entice my senses with when you are drip dropping about to be ready to fill my cup and body with some energy that is much-needed. Please tell your little friends at coffee shops if they mess up my order (I ordered iced coffee, not hot), please for the love of humanity DO NOT pour the hot coffee over ice so I have a lukewarm, iceless and diluted cup of “coffee." Can we note that my order is not that hard either? Iced coffee black (and then I put stevia in it). Or, if you have some unsweetened almond milk, hook a sister up. After all, you’ve gotten me through the endless papers, hours of studying and irritating events that college can sometimes bring.

Wait, can we note that I broke up with you once? During Lent, I gave you up. Believe me, it was a hard feat, but somehow I could build up my tolerance again. I now feel as though you do nothing for me. I’m sorry, did I insult you? OK, maybe you do help me out. Even though I could probably drink five cups a day, I don’t because my tolerance has gone away and I perk up for a few minutes and could then slug down another large iced coffee in 30 seconds flat. Yes, people tend to mull over an iced coffee for a few hours. You are usually gone and empty within 10 minutes if you’re consumed by me.

Oh, no, what am I going to do once I have to head off to law school? When I get a full-time job? You’ll always be here for me, right? I mean, I’m always here for you. I will drink you hot when it’s super cold during the winter. I will also drink you iced (my personal favorite). If you’re in New York City you can find a coffee shop on nearly every block. Even if you’re too strong, a little burnt, sort-of watered down or too hot, I still can’t kick you. I’m not over you. I’ll never be over you. I’m kind of obsessed with you (sorry!). It may be true. I may be addicted to you. I mean, after all, there could be worse things I could be addicted to.

Coffee, you have stolen my heart. It’s true, I used to hate you. Bitter and gross. Now, the love I have for you is ever-growing. Now, even if you don’t perk me up when I roll out of bed in the morning, I still like the flavor you bring to my life.

XOXO,

Your BFF