I remember my first time there like it was yesterday. I walked in, and it was darker than I expected but also extremely welcoming. I took in my surroundings, the smell, the soft music in the background, and the nervous pit in my stomach. I was questioning everything; did I make the right decision in coming here? Am I wearing the right outfit? Was it obvious that I had never done something like this before? Then I saw him, he looked at me with knowing eyes, my mouth went dry as I opened it to speak first, the tension between the two of us was so obvious as I stumbled over my words trying to figure out what I wanted from him. Eventually, I pulled myself together well enough to say,
“Can I have an iced vanilla coffee with soy?”
The guy behind the counter smiled as I paid and some of the nerves went away. But then I turned around and had to find a table. Do I wait for my drink? Do I go to a table to set up and then go back to get my drink? Soon enough my name was called, and I grabbed the drink and a window seat. I was smart enough to know to find a table with an outlet near by, and I began to relax. I opened my laptop to begin a paper for one of my freshman history classes. I plugged in my headphones, had a sip of my coffee, pretended I was in a Taylor Swift music video, and couldn’t help but smile as I realized I had found my new favorite place.
If you have ever been to a coffee shop then you probably know exactly what I am talking about. There is a certain stigma to coffee shops and sweet cafes, and approaching a new one is an experience like no other. Finding a place to go to work on homework, read, or talk with friends that wasn’t on campus was something that I soon realized was more important to me than expected. Now, I don’t know what I would do without these sweet escapes I have grown so accustomed to in my little college town.
It’s the company you keep, seeing your favorite barista working, the early mornings there, and the late nights spent that keep me coming back. It’s understanding that a bad day can be fixed with that window seat and the best latte in town. Some may prefer the hospital lighting of a library, or the quietness of their bedroom, but I will forever be indebted to the cups of coffee had, shared, and spilt across Tallahassee.
