When I think of people that have changed me for the better, the first people that come to my mind are the group of beautiful ladies that I spend my weeknights after school and bright and early Saturday and Sunday mornings with, my work friends. Although some of the people who influenced me the most have already left our place of employment, that doesn’t change the impact you have had on me. So, ladies, this one's for you.

Thank you for breaking me out of my shell…

I remember walking in on my first day, my hands shaking as I clocked in for the first time, and being greeted by some of the kindest people I have ever met. Young, shy me, coming into an environment full of people that I had never met was terrified. I had the mentality of “get the job done and don’t speak unless you’re spoken to.” But one day, a few coworkers came up to me, at different times, and just started striking up conversation about my background and my interests. Since that day, a door opened and I felt as though I had a group of “work friends”. And now my confidence has grown and I can be 100% myself without ever second guessing it.

Thank you for teaching me to have thicker skin…

One of the best women I have ever met at my work has a sense of humor that can be taken a bit bluntly sometimes… well, most times, actually. She is not afraid to say something that might hurt your feelings, but it’s out of love, not spite. From you (you know who you are), I learned that sometimes people are going to say things that you don’t want to hear, but you can either take it to heart or you can take it with a grain of salt. I know it’s meant in more of a joking matter, so I never take it harshly, but thank you for teaching me to stand up for myself. I appreciate it more than you know.

Thank you for celebrating the good moments.

Thank you for being there to cheer me on in my best moments… You ladies have been such a strong support system for me and I am so thankful to have a group of cheerleaders to support me through everything, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to support you all. We’ve all gone through so much together, from graduations, to promotions, college acceptances, a couple of babies and a wedding. We’ve been supporters of one another since day one and I am beyond blessed for that.

Thank you for loving me at my worst.

I’ve had moments in and out of work where I was struggling with some a personal problem, and because of you all, I always knew I had somewhere to turn. Thank you for always being there to give me advice and for wiping my tears when I get too overwhelmed. These types of moments are the kind that show me who truly matters in my life.

Thank you for making this experience worthwhile.

Nobody likes waking up at 6:00 a.m. on a weekend to go work with the public for eight hours, but knowing I was walking into a building that was full of my favorite people always makes it so much easier. Thank you for every silly comment made, to the funny snapchat filters while on break, to the moments playing music in the back and dancing while boxing donuts. I truly wouldn’t have made it through the last few years without you guys.

Thank you for expanding my social circle.

Before I met you all, I had a small group of friends from school that I didn’t really hang out with much outside of class, but now it seems like I never run out of people to spend time with. From group dinners, to long drives with no destination, to sitting outside at the park, eating french fries and talking and laughing about life and everything in between, thank you for becoming some of the best friends that I could have asked for.

Thank you for being my second family.

I don’t even think of you as co-workers, I think of you as a second family. My life and my heart have been so greatly impacted by each and everyone of you. I can’t say it enough, thank you, thank you, thank you for becoming a second family that I never knew I needed.

I truly can’t tell you enough how much each and every one of you mean to me. I am a true believer in fate and that everything happening for a reason, and I know that you entering my life happened for a reason so much greater than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for making not just work, but my life so much more fun.

I love you all.