I think most little kids dream of a Willy Wonka kind of experience, one including gobstoppers and chocolate waterfalls. I had that dream too back in 2006.

I was in second grade and had just met my best friend Alex. With his elaborate riddles that only sometimes made sense and his obsession with becoming a president/chocolatier/mad scientist/astronaut I was thrown into a Willy Wonka kind of world.

His dad, Willy Wonka himself also known as Nick Loucas, owned the local chocolate store in Haverstraw, NY. Before I knew it my mom got a job there, I started spending all my summers bagging gummy bears and watching mesmerizing chocolate waterfalls, and by the time I was 14 I had a job working at a chocolate shop with my mom as my boss.

Lucas Candies the store was called. Established in 1896 and always family owned. I spent the majority of my childhood in its basement rooms, exploring the century-old hallways and looking for mysteries.

At the age of 11, I participated in my first basket week where we make over 1,000 chocolate Easter baskets every year. At 14 I started running the register and acquired my customer service voice.

Two years ago my mom became co-owner of Lucas Candies, which finally made it my family's business. The Willy Wonka atmosphere faded over the years, childhood dreams can't always stay forever, but the family and experiences I gained from Lucas Candies are way more important.

Working at this candy store is the only job I've ever had. Some people ask me if I regret that, and the truth is I don't. I may not have multiple job experiences under my belt, but I know I am good at this job and I love this job.

Lucas Candies taught me about family, responsibility, and showed me how to get out of the metaphorical shell I put myself in. I never thought I'd ever end up working with my mother or my sister or my best friend, but I wouldn't change that for anything.

I could write an entire essay on my years at Lucas Candies, but for now, I just want to say that working there changed me for the better and I'll always cherish it.