Coming home from my second semester of college, I was sad to leave my new home, but excited to see everyone from my hometown. My parents, sister, friends and especially my coworkers. One might think that's a little odd, but my work was my home away from home. Applying to Seoul Kitchen might've single-handedly been the best decision I made in high school. Working in a restaurant creates a family dynamic like no other I've ever experienced before. This motley-cru of people slowly became not only my best friends but my family. They were my "Seoul-mates," and I loved them unconditionally. I was planning on visiting Seoul as soon as I stepped off the plane, but for some reason, I just didn't go. And that's something I'll always regret.
I went to Cape Cod the first weekend I was home wth my two best friends since childhood. We drove out to the beach, sharing our own fun stories from our past year away from each other. Sitting on the beach, I get a text from my boss. "Hey Hannah, call me when you get the chance." The first thought I had was "Oh, f**k. He wants me to work." Can't I just be back two days without having to jump back into responsibility? But I called him back anyway. "Hey, Jay. What's up?" "There's been an accident. Holden passed away this morning."
I dropped my phone right there in the sand. How could that have happened? Holden, the funny, smart-ass, hardworking motherfucker, can't be gone. I grew up with him. He was my brother. He was part of our Seoul family.
Fast forward two days, I'm walking side by side with my coworkers to go say goodbye to our friend for one last time. His family communicated to us that they wanted only a small, close group of friends and family, which was understandable. A lot of people knew who he was, but not a lot of people knew him. We understood. However, when we got there, it was as if half of my town was there. His school friends, family friends, parents, friends of his siblings; my entire town was represented. But the thing that struck me the hardest was the people I knew from the restaurant. Our boss, his wife and parents, every employee and even some regular customers came. That hit me hard. This kid brought so much energy and character to the feel of the restaurant, adding so much more "Seoul" to that place than we would've thought possible.
In that moment, it hit me how much a group of completely different people can come together to be a family. We all came from completely different backgrounds. For some, this was just a job for pocket money. For others, this was all they had to pay the bills. We were always there for each other, starting off every shift with a hug, a high five and copious amounts of teasing. Whether anyone needed a laugh, a coffee, a red bull or just someone to talk too, I know I could go to anyone that I work with and they'd have my back. Our family won't feel the same without his sarcastic sense of humor, and we're gonna miss Holden dearly.
A little part of our Seoul went with him that Monday morning, and its not something that we can ever get back. It's horrible that it takes a tragedy to bring people closer together, but I'm lucky, because I already knew what I had. Holden, this one's for you. What a guy.
