The Gates (no relation to Bill)

For the last 7 and a half years, I have driven onto the same piece of property and walked in through the same set of security gates. To the naked eye and the outsider, they may just seem like small buildings with a security guard sitting behind a desk checking your bag and occasionally doing a full body security check, but inside those gates hold some of the most significant memories of my life.

I've grown up inside of those gates, and I've made friendships that I will keep and treasure for a lifetime. From a timid kid walking into an area she knew nothing about to the seasoned supervisor I will leave as, I would not be the person I am today without each and every one of the people I have encountered and worked alongside within those gates. 

I have been within those gates to see the company through some of its darkest days, and I've been there on some of its brightest days. 

I've traveled those back roads more times than I can count, and only once did I hit another vehicle on them (sorry about that, Ashley.)

My heart and world have been shattered inside those gates, and at other times, my heart has been so full that it's felt at times like it would burst.

I've cried behind back walls with other people who have shared a story similar to my own within those gates, and at other times, I've laughed so hard that I've cried.

I've gotten the two most devastating telephone calls of my life within those gates, and yet I've somehow been held up and glued back together by the people within those gates.

I've been inspired by people within those gates, and I've been disappointed by people within those gates.

I don't regret a single second I've spent within those gates.

Thank you to all the people who at any point along this road have become my family. Thank you for all you have taught me. Thank you for holding me together when you may not have even realized you were doing so. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for always responding to my sheep IMs.

On March 5th, I'll detach the battery from the radio that's been mine, and I'll log out from the computer access I've had for the past 7 years. I'll clock out, walk out of those gates, and nothing within them will belong to me anymore. But those memories with those incredible people for all those years...what I learned within those gates, all those kids I got to watch grow up (shout out to my Starke twins!) and the comfort those people gave me during really difficult times...all that is mine to keep forever.