There's something special that comes with working with a great group of people. You become more than co-workers, but friends instead. And it's not the kind of friends where you prefer to work shifts together, but the kind of friends where you make dinner and movie plans in your sweats on someone's couch.
Where I work, we have a relatively small staff. You likely know everyone and their families. You tend to work with the same people, and everyone's schedule is pretty consistent. There's nothing better than that, to be honest. Once you become friends with your coworkers, it becomes more than just work, it becomes fun. You get stuff done, but it's a blast. Going to work is something you look forward to, not something you dread.
Once you get closer to these people, it's more than just a friendship — it's a family. You hang out with them inside and outside of work, you confide in them, and you trust them. It's that special kind of friendship where if you needed someone to call at 2 or 3 in the morning, they would pick up the phone (sorry to the coworkers I've done this to on some wild nights).
The amount of entertainment and jokes they provide you with may just be the best part. Work is never dull, and there's always the "squad" that assembles on the weekends. For that, I am forever grateful because working with some of my best friends has been an experience that I will never forget and will be eternally grateful for.
Somehow, they know exactly what to say. Odds are, you spend the most time with these people out of anyone you know, so they know you better than anyone. When I was having a problem, I couldn't help but carry it to work with me, but my coworkers always knew what to say to comfort me or encourage me to push through whatever I'm going through.
Oh, did I mention all the fun we have? From the concerts to dinners to musicals to car jams, there is never a dull moment with these people. Being at college is probably the hardest thing because I actually miss work. I miss being around my favorite people and having a blast. I miss going on ice cream or food runs with them after work or just laughing our butts off at the servers station.
So this one goes out to my work family: thank you for being who you are. I love all of you dearly, and I wouldn't do anything to change any of you. I look forward to countless more laughs, memories and stories that I can tell my kids one day. Thank you for being my best friends.