I can make it through my morning and day without my usual cup of coffee.   

But, by “making it through” I mean have a pounding headache and want to fall asleep at my desk at least three times.  

I have accepted my addiction to caffeine, and in fact,  embraced it. I brew it every morning, have at least a cup at home and then another one or two once I venture to class or work. When I feel like splurging or celebrating, I love heading to a local coffee shop to experience getting a fresh hand-crafted drink. Sometimes I order an old favorite, and other times I choose to risk it and try something new. It just depends on my mood that day. 

My first job was at a coffee shop, and I loved every second of it. After dragging myself out of bed at 5:00 a.m. and making my way behind the counter, I was ready to start preparing the first thing most people think about after waking up. I couldn’t wait to smell the fresh coffee being brewed, to pour the first espresso shots of the day, and talk to my early bird customers with sleep still in their voice. We had many regulars that we knew by name. They’d come through the drive thru and chat with us as we made their specialty coffee from memory. The people were my favorite part of that job, but the coffee was a close second.  

Part of the daily routine at that job was to have “coffee talks” with the team working that day. This entailed getting a tiny cup of a drip brew and sipping together; talking about all the subtle flavors and the smoothness of that particular brew. Sometimes the roast just tasted like your average, run-of-the-mill coffee, but there were other times, when I was especially tired or stressed, that the sip of a fresh brew was almost too good to be true. There is something about that caffeine rushing through you that warms up your entire soul. I could taste every element and hint of flavor on those tired days. I saw it in my customers too, when they would come in frazzled and frustrated and then take that first sip and so visibly be at ease. We had customers that brought us flowers, gift bags, and coupons to where they worked. All of that to thank us for a few cups of coffee we made. But I viewed it more as an experience and routine I shared with them.  

I think my experience working at a coffee shop made me aware of how much work and passion can go into a cup of coffee, and the kind of relief it is capable of providing. I think back to conversations with my customers during closing, casually sipping together and talking about life. It makes me realize how much I learned over a cup of coffee from all kinds of people.  

Since moving to Grand Rapids, I’ve found a few of my own favorite coffee shops, now enjoying them as a customer versus the barista. Rowers Club, The Lantern, Roots Brew Shop, and The Bitter End all within walking distance of my apartment. They each offer their own unique experience, but all remind me of home, of the first job I have had, and that sometimes you really do just have to stop and smell the coffee.