Accepted And Loved

I know everyone is unique. Some of us are just a little more unique than others. For instance, I'm just not for everyone...throughout my life there have been people who just don't "get" me and therefore prefer to not be around me. When I was younger it really bothered me. I always just wanted to be the person that everyone likes and wants to be friends with. But as I got older I realized that sometimes being friends with everyone means not really going deep with anyone. You can't be liked by everyone and also have opinions about things because inevitably you'll find someone who disagrees with you, gasp! I decided that I'm far too opinionated and far too strong willed to be Miss Congeniality. I'd rather have a few deep and meaningful friendships than a whole host of causal and surface interactions. There have been times in life that I've been really lonely because of this. But it's also made me really appreciate the people who do fully "get" me and hold onto them for dear life.

When I moved to Washington in September I prepared myself to be lonely. I have only a couple friends here that I'm still in touch with but they all have kids and therefore, are generally busy...all the time. My family is here, but they also have lives of their own and haven't just been sitting around the past 13 years waiting for me to come home so they have something to do...imagine that.

So when I started working at Hop Jack's I figured I'd meet one, maybe two people who I would connect with on some level and I might just have a new friend. As in one. I expected to make one friend. What I got instead was a large family. I have never met a group of people who fit together so well and genuinely enjoy each others company as much as this crazy cast of characters. In a lot of situations in life I feel awkward and dorky, but this group not only fully embraces each person's quirks but celebrates them too. I loved going to work each day because no matter who was working that particular shift,  I knew I not only got along with them, but we'd have fun together. Work doesn't seem like work when you're surrounded by some of the coolest, most caring, hilarious people you've ever met. 

When you can truly be yourself and be accepted, no questions asked, and without conditions or stipulations, you know you've struck gold.

This is for all my Hoppies...I love and miss you guys!