Like a Boss

I should have included another person in my "I get by with a little help from my friends" post but I felt compelled to give this person their own post. My former boss Melissa is part of the reason why I am aspiring to be who I am today. I guess I should break down our story a little for you to understand just how important she is to me.

I got my first real job offer 6 months after I graduated from college and was beyond nervous. I was offered a position at a local credit union in the area and went in on my first day really confident (or I thought it was confidence) I marched right in and right up to the member service desk and said "I am here to see Michelle." I immediately knew I had done something wrong. If you notice in the paragraph above her name is clearly Melissa. She walked right out to greet me and said "Hey I am Melissa and if were going to be working together I am going to need you to get my name right." First impressions are important but having a sense of humor about screwing up those first impressions is what matters. From that day forth I worked as hard as I could for her. I learned everything I could as quickly as possible from her. She had been with the credit union 10+ years and was full of knowledge so why not? Throughout this process we developed a strong friendship (twilight and the hunger games helped) I gained a trust and understanding with her like I have never had with anyone. Not only was she a great friend but an even more amazing mentor. If I had a problem, I went to her for help. If I had issues at home, she helped me through them. Basically she was my saving grace for my first two years at this credit union.

January of this year she dropped a bomb on me, she had been hinting for a while that she was thinking about moving to the beach. Like usual I just shrugged it off, we always talked about moving and doing these awesome things but never followed through. I just figured this was one of those moments. Before the month was over it was official that she was going to be relocated to a branch on the Outer Banks and was moving as soon as possible. This broke my heart, I knew I had to support her decision and I did but that didn't mean I wasn't crushed. I was losing a great boss, but more importantly I was losing a best friend. Two days before she was supposed to leave my father was having knee replacement surgery. I was torn between staying with my friend who was leaving in two days or my father who was having surgery. There was no way I could miss being with my father but I was literally torn apart about it. I spent that whole morning in tears because I wouldn't be able to spend one of the last days with Melissa.

It hit me harder than I was expecting. How am I supposed to send this person off who basically gave me a job, showed me how to be great at it, all while being an incredible friend and leader to me? It wasn't easy I promise you that. I never cried in front of her because I didn't want her to get upset. She was starting a new chapter in her life, stepping out of her comfort zone into somewhere totally new. I couldn't let her see my pain because I didn't want her to worry when she already had enough on her plate. I graciously said said my goodbyes, gave her a huge hug then watched her walk away.

What I didn't realize is how different I would be after she left. It's like her whole "work attitude" rubbed off on me. I had this new sense of purpose to everything I did at my job. I work as hard as she would. I problem solved as best as she could. I find myself everyday doing something that she taught me how to do. Her influence on me has made me a greater employee and a better person. I thank her for all of her dedication, hardwork and effort she put into me because I know without it I probably would have quit. I know these are just mere words on a page. They dont nearly do our relationship justice but our story needed to be shared.

This is for you Demko, you have no idea the impact you have had on my life. I love you like a sister. I of course would love it if you came home but that beach life is hard to leave. I appreciate everything you have ever done for me and I can't wait for New Moon this novemeber! Love you!