I think it goes without saying that this job definitely has its pros and cons (sometimes more bad than good) but this week really reminded me that despite the understaffing, common burn out and overall exhaustion, I am extremely lucky to have my partners.

This last Friday, I (shift) was set to close with three other baristas. I got in at one to take over the floor, everything was going fairly smooth despite having a shaky hand off. Then for whatever reason, at around 4:00 I got extremely sick.

I should also mention that over the past few weeks, I’ve had some unexpected health issues arise that severely impact my ability to work and just exist day to day, and these specific baristas have been nothing but understanding and accommodating thus far.

But that evening, amidst throwing up my guts in the back, these partners did the absolute ~most~ to ensure not only that the store was getting properly closed down, but also made sure I was okay.

A newly promoted night shift stayed a bit extra after her scheduled off time help finish the pastry pull for me. Additionally, the two younger baristas brought me water, cool rags, one even ~changed~ the trash bag out of the can I was throwing up into.

After the new night shift went home, the three remaining baristas did a group trash run, got through the mountain of dishes left over from mid day peak, prepped almost everything for the opening crew tomorrow, and just really showed how incredible they are, not only as partners but humans as well.

I know this job sucks sometimes. I know we often feel tired and used and burnt out, but at the end of the day, for me, it’s situations like these that make me realize how freakin lucky I am to have partners who care about not only myself but each other.

This job would be so unbearable without a solid crew like them, so R, C, and B (and other B) if you ever come across this, I am so grateful for you guys.

Thanks for sticking through my happy rant, I genuinely hope you all have a team like this, it makes the job so much more bearable.