It’s been a long time, I know. I could make excuses about moving and being otherwise busy, but the fact is, it’s been a long time since I had something worthwhile to say.

I started this blog with the intention of its basic theme being rants about my job. Although I generally liked it, I was easily fed up with various ludicrous aspects of it. When I accepted my admission to grad school in May, I thought that the only thing that I would miss would be the paychecks.

I was wrong.

I sit here in my cubicle on my last day in the office, and I feel much sadder then I ever would have expected. I took down all my decorations, phone lists, and schedules, and suddenly I remember what I felt like when I first got here. And suddenly, I am floored with how good this year has been for me.

I got a lot out of this job. I have become much less afraid of face-to-face contact and a much better communicator. My business writing and computer skills have improved tremendously. But more than anything, looking back, I remember the way I have laughed over the past year.

And for that, I thank my co-workers.

We call ourselves the “Western Suburbs” because our cluster of desks is on the western end of the building. We’ve eaten lunch together every day for months. And we’ve talked about childbirth almost every day. We’ve complained about roommates and fiancés and friends and husbands, told every tiny little story of the boring happenings of our lives. We’ve yelled over and through cubicle walls. I’ve had the time of my life.

There’s one memory that I keep coming back to today. It happened about a month ago. I had just returned to work from having my wisdom teeth pulled, and I was in a horrible mood. I ranted for a good ten minutes about how miserable and alone I was, and how my roommates deserted me, and about the work that was waiting for me. My friends, who I will called G-Money here, finally simply looked at me and said, “You look thin.”

I don’t know that I’ve ever been more appreciative of any compliment in my life.

I don’t doubt that I really did look thin that day, as I hadn’t eaten anything but popsicles and applesauce in a week, but regardless of the truth of the statement, G-Money said it because she knew it would make me feel better.

All of my co-workers have had moments like that. I’m starting to realize just how well they’ve gotten to know me, and how comfortable I’ve become around them.

I love and miss my friends from college, but in my coworkers, I feel like I have found my first “girlfriends.” They’re the Miranda to my Carrie Bradshaw. And I will miss that more than I realized until today.

And I want them to know that.

So Shannon, Becky, Nicole, Sarah, and Joyce… if you read this, know that I am so grateful to have met you and I will miss you more than I will be able to tell you in person before I leave today. You’ve been amazing friends to me.

Keep in touch.