An open letter to my coworkers.

This is just a little note to say thanks.

But first, a little history (don't worry, I won't make it too long): until December of last year, school has been my life. My routine had been to wake up, get ready for school, go to school, come home, do homework, then get ready to do it all over again the next day. I was and am kind of socially awkward, and have never had an easy time making friends or opening up to people. It's not something I necessarily like about myself, but I've come to accept it more or less, because I don't think it will change any time soon. I'm a person who likes to have a plan and who likes stability, and this is the first time that I don't have a concrete, step-by-step goal for my life. I don't have academics to carry me anymore, and after college I decided on applying for this job to improve my social skills and maybe become a little more comfortable with simply being myself.

I know I've (half) joked about hating people. The truth is, it's just hard for me to talk to them sometimes. But after having been hired at Spanish Hills, I've come to realize that I love my job. And while I enjoy talking to members and wedding guests, its my coworkers who really make me love what I do.

Sometimes I feel kind of prudish and uncool about the fact that I'm not a huge party girl (however, to Malibu and cranberry, I say bring it on!) and that I am "fragile," as Collier so kindly put it today. I've always had a difficult time feeling like I fit in, and I just would like to say thanks for making me feel like I belong. My life was by no means terrible when "student" was my only title, but I'm having such a better time without it. I go to work in a good mood because I know I'll get to see you, and I come home happy that I get to spend so much time with fun, radiant people. I hope this doesn't all sound too corny, but since I am a sap I figure a little corniness is to be expected. The truth is I love you all and want you to know it.

Thank you for helping me feel accepted; it's not something that happens to me very often, and I want to express my gratitude.

Thank you for being part of what makes my life beautiful.