Sometimes I sit and wonder what life would be like if I didn't work in an amusement park...

Here's the thing, I can't imagine not working where I've been for the past seven years. It all began when I was 17 years old, and I didn't understand the meaning of a job. Being that I was so young, I couldn't give up my summers and time at family parties. Within my first two seasons, I spent majority of my time being miserable. The long hours, heat, and angry guests frustrated me the most, but there seemed to have been a special element that kept me working; the only thing was, I couldn't figure out what kept the wheels turning. At twenty-three years old and seven seasons later, the "special element" that has kept me going for years was the sense of family and home. In my years, I switched from food to rides and every moment in-between has played a part in the person I am today.

In a typical week, four of those days, I spent about eleven hours at the park. Now, I know I'm not good at math since I failed the fifth grade, but if I'm spending eleven hours at work a day, I'm going to be real quick to find connections in my team members, which allows us to come together. There are bonds impossible to break and friendships that'll last a lifetime. Never could I have imagined, that I would meet people who I would consider my second family. For majority of us, we are fortunate to care about one another because when we are at our lowest of lows...someone is always there to pick up the pieces.

I remember my first family, all clustered together in a food stand. To me now, every time I walk past the food stand it's a mere memory. I always have remembered it as my first home, and I reflect on the times when I worked as the dream team with B. Buck and Breona or when my first supervisor Carl told me to not be so polite anymore. Those memories have became faint since there is only three of us from the original crew that still remain at the park, but one never forgets the first place they felt accepted. To my home number one, thank you.

Now here we are, a few years later and I am in my third season of being a supervisor. I've worked my way, from being a regular team member to a supervisor of my own crew, a journey that has been unforgettable. Here is the time where my being as a person really evolved. I have had to learn how to be a reliable leader for my crew and deal with satisfying the bosses; I can definitely say the struggles and bumps in the road, do pay off in the end. Fast forwarding to now, I couldn't be more appreciative of the crew I have. Not only do they come in ready to work despite the weather or amount of guests that day, but...they're my misfits. Each team member is unique and different but somehow when they are all together, they mesh into a family. When I'm feeling down, they are all so quick to say something or take action to make me feel better; which says a lot because in their eyes I'm always so strong for them when they don't know who to turn to. Not to mention, how could I get through the day without my co-supervisor, Kendra. I am incredibly lucky -- lucky for the fact that not only do we get along, but we understand one another. We really are the true definition of a dynamic duo, due to the fact that we know how one another acts and we fit together better than any puzzle in existence. She's crazy and I'm calm, a duo of complete opposites that can conquer the world.

Another factor that plays into my job is the trillion and one bosses I have...just kidding, I only have like, thirteen. Some people are scared of their bosses or they hate them. I think it is safe to say, my bosses are cooler than yours. They are not afraid to joke around with us, give us advice, or even help us with our careers. Yeah, my bosses are busy with their own lives but they wouldn't hesitate to help us with ours while playing a game of skatterball or lucky duck.

So why? Why after seven seasons have I chosen to remain at the first job I have ever had? Because it's home. I've grown up into adulthood here, and that means more to me than anything else. When I have a bad day or need an escape, there is one place where I hide and it has never left. This amusement park is my second home, and I feel bad for those who will never experience the sense of feeling whole and loved by their co-workers. At the end of the day, everyone can admit that they complain about how much they hate their job, but we'll never admit that our crews and the park is home. In this huge, but mini, world, we accept people for who they are and create such strong bonds that we'll probably end up in one another's weddings. This park is the family who stands with you and falls with you. I can only hope that I am given the opportunity to continue working up the chain in the park and inform other team members of the unity that is in existence. In the end, I've grown up here and I can never forget that. Cheers to having the chance to love my job, but most importantly:

To my second home, thank you.