This is my first post here but I'm happy to be joining the community and I hope this is appropriate to put here!!

I am a new partner who was only hired in March and during my whole time working here we've been working under COVID policies. For the most part it's been a great experience, but being trained while our store was only operating through the drive thru and then gradually getting up to point where we re-opened the cafe has been super tough and taken a toll on me. There were so many times where I felt sick to my stomach at the idea of going to work because working during COVID has just been so awful (as I'm sure you can agree). There were a few times where I was certain I was gonna throw in the apron!

I never felt like I was giving 100% or that I was even well-liked on our team but today everybody surprised me with cupcakes and a balloon and it was just the most amazing thing. I was so shocked I couldn't process it but I cried the whole way home in my car. Everybody I have told (outside of my co-workers) thinks it's like winning employee of the month and not that special but it's a huge deal to me and I just needed to share. Maybe in the grand scheme of things it means nothing but it gave me so much joy today and I just needed to share. This stupid job is ridiculous and I love every second of it.

Thanks for letting me gush :)