I always seem to come back to the same job, summer after summer. Last summer, I remember asking myself what it was that kept me coming back. It’s not because it’s an easy job, or because it only takes me about six-minutes to get there. It’s not because of the pay rate, or because of the extra perks of the job. It’s all because of the wonderful people I get to work five days a week with. It’s because of the memories I’ve made with some of the coolest people I know.

To my fellow friends, thank you all for allowing me into your lives — not just for the summer, but for all the seasons after. To be honest, I never thought I would be at our company for more than a summer season. But after having one of the best summers I ever had in a long time, I knew I had to go back. Four summers later, I’m glad I got to know all the amazing people along the way. Even after the temperature cooled and our lives got busier, many of us still managed to keep up with one another somehow.

We all share some of the same enjoyment (certainly the same frustrations), and we all work hard and look out for one another. I couldn’t be more grateful for all the shifts I’ve had with each of you.

Thank you for being more than just a fun group of easy people to work with, but for also being great friends. Some people just go through the motions at their job, count down the minutes until they are off the clock, and dread the next shift they are scheduled for. I’m thankful that has never been the case for me.

To my managers and fellow supervisors, thank you for always being there for me when I don’t know the answer, for giving me advice and for mentoring me. It’s because of each of you that I have the leadership capabilities and confidence to help lead our team. It's because of each of you that I have a work ethic I can build upon.

Thank you for teaching me the ropes, encouraging me, being patient with me, talking to me about my life, telling me about yours, and most importantly, thank you for being my second family. This will forever be more than just a job on my resume.

I love you all. D3 forever.