Thank you, Sweet Dreams

 

My first job is closing their doors and I’m in a puddle of tears. Knowing this day was approaching was hard, but seeing this set in stone is truly heartbreaking. I understand this probably seems extremely dramatic and to be honest, I’ve wondered why I am so emotional about this myself, but I am.

Sweet dreams was my first job and Keith Kirschbaum was my first boss. But it wasn’t just a job to me. 15 year old me had no idea just how much that restaurant would come to mean to me. It taught me so much and it harbored some of my absolute best memories through my teen years and taught me some of the greatest lessons.

I learned how hard work can be fun and I learned what a great manager looks like. I learned that I can be equally hardworking as I am silly and I learned how to make a mean burger and my personal favorite, pizza logs. I’ve always dreamed big, sky-is-the-limit, out-of-the-box type dreams; I still do. I think I have Keith to thank for a large part of that. My love for marketing and all things creative blossomed in that restaurant.

Keith allowed me to share my creative ideas with him regularly and he even allowed me to bring them to life. From helping with the murals (there is still a blonde girl with the name “Olivia” painted next to her on the wall), to creating the website and Facebook, to putting circus mirrors on the bathroom doors (not my greatest idea haha!), to making my own Sundae (Jimmy’s Special) and of course making the BEST custard, to learning how to be a cook who cares about each meal and so so much more.

There’s a reason why I include my experiences from my first job on every cover letter I’ve used since. It taught me much more than how to flip a burger or take an order. It taught me that no matter what position I’m in, I can invest myself into others. I can serve others in the way I speak to them and the way I serve them. This job shaped so much for me. It pushed me to be the best me I could be in anything and everything I did and I am eternally thankful.

Sweet Dreams was the best hangout with the BEST food and I just feel so thankful to have been apart of it. What I would give to say a proper goodbye in person to the place that means truly so very much to me, but this will have to do.

Keith, you have poured your blood, sweat, and tears into that place for the last 11 years to make your customers feel at home and now it’s time for you to take a break and live it up. I just want to thank you for hiring the quirky, hyper, 15 year old me and for letting me grow up and with Sweet Dreams.

Hartland will always be my favorite little town and Sweet Dreams will always hold the same special piece of my heart it has since I was 15. Thank you for everything, Keith. I am so excited for this next season in your life. Say hi to Patty for me and have the greatest time in Hawaii. You deserve it.