"Because I knew you I have been changed for good" - Wicked
To my DCP coordinator who became my DCP mentor,
Thank you. Two simple words with so much gratitude and appreciation behind them. I can not thank you enough for everything you did for me during my Disney College Program and after. We first became friends through me obviously having a rough day and you pulling me aside to talk to me. Every time you worked you would check in with me and see how my day was going. You saw through the bullshit smiles I forced myself to plaster on my face some days. You were honest and honesty is what I needed from someone. You became like a big brother in a sense having my back but not being afraid to show me tough love when I was being a bitch. I am so thankful you were my coordinator. We shared the hatred of our work location together and bonded over the late nights we had closing the princess room.
When I think of my Disney College Program I think of you. You are what made me continue going. The days I was too homesick to function properly, and the moments I wanted to quit and take the next plane ride home you continued to make me keep trying. When the graduation came I was so thankful I stayed and I sobbed intensely the last shift at WOD as I knew despite the rough days the work location and experience made me become a much better person. You have completely different views that I had on a lot of things, thank you for showing me I can be more open minded and accepting than I was before. The night you gave me the key chain was one I'll always remember. I had a tough day and your small kind gesture went a long way! By the way I still have it in my room as a daily reminder of how much I grew on the program.
You were there not for only me but every big eyed, scared College Program participant. You took being a "coordinator" and made it into being a team mate, friend and big brother. Where the other coordinators fell short and seemed judgmental you were not. You weren't intimidating, you weren't judging any of us. You took each and every one of us under your wing helping us grow and become better versions of who we were the first day we walked into the biggest Disney store in the world.
The goodbye I faced was beyond tough. I was saying "See you real soon" to someone who helped me face my demons while I was there and who helped me through one of the difficult times being so far away from home.
Thank you for still remaining to keep in contact and for still reaching out to see how I'm doing. There are some friendships that will last a lifetime and ours is one of those. Regardless of how long between times we talk when we do it's like nothing has changed.
Thank you for being you, for the countless memories and being one of my role models.
