If you know us at all, you know that we embrace simplicity and that it is mostly small things which make us happy, happy. Like campfires, fall leaves, boots...
and coffee shops.
Like Starbucks.
Starbucks definitely makes us happy. {Read more here.}
Even our instagram feed {@jonolaynie} is full of Starbucks experiences-
Sister cups. Sister dates.
Lunges, barista, Starbucks. (Oh hey Becky!)
Dear Starbucks, my name is Layne not Lame. {I have a bit more empathy now. A bit.}
And then last August, I got HIRED TO WORK AT STARBUCKS.
My first day of training with these two.
It was The Best. Starbucks has always been my happy place.
I have loved my months of being behind the counter, meeting the other regulars and legitimately becoming friends with the baristas. {I liked to pretend I was friends with them before.}
And in the last year, I have spilled milk, made drinks wrong, forgotten my work shoes for my shift.
My co-workers have grabbed a mop, helped me re-make the drinks and loaned me their shoes. This actually happened...more than once...and I started loving the feeling of wearing extra-big shoes.
I have mixed up drink recipes, forgotten how to add, asked a gazillion (or at least 100) questions.
They have reminded me of the recipes, added for me and answered all of my questions.
I have loved working with such an inspiring, kind and genuinely caring team.
And, on top of all this goodness, our manager, Tiffany, has repeatedly gone out of her way to work with me and my crazy (crazy, crazy) schedule.
I can't say THANK YOU, to all those above, enough. You are amazing.
I'd planned on working there for quite a bit longer, but our baby business has been growing and growing. We are so proud of it and need to spend more time with it.
We so value a balance of time, relationship, health and work in our lives. The scale has been tipping a bit too far in the work direction for the last year. So after weeks of wrestling and wrestling with the decision, in went my two-week notice.
And today is my last day to wear this green apron. At least for awhile.
Wearing it and working with such a solid group of people has taught me much about invaluable customer service, going the extra mile, working with excellence and believing in what you do.
I know I will forever look back on my season of working with Starbucks with nostalgia. I will forever be sad that I can't drop the "I'm a barista too!" card when I'm in a Starbucks faraway from home and give the barista a knowing smile. Okay, let's be real-I will still try to drop the knowing smile to which they will inevitably be creeped out. I'll try to keep it charming and see how it goes.
I will never forget this special season with you, Starbucks.
And I will always be grateful.
x.