What a Year!

We are down in sunny Florida right now and with the craziness of finishing up work, packing, etc. last week, I didn't get a chance to post this before we left. We had a great Thanksgiving with both of our families and our sweet little baby celebrated his first birthday! Auntie Nina gave him his birthday present early and he has been practicing walking all over the house. It is very odd for me to watch my baby walking but I better get used to it! He has taken a handful of steps on his own this week. On his actual birthday we had some family time and after a long day of running errands, we kept him up past bedtime to give him his birthday cupcake (I'll upload the video soon...too cute).









The last couple of weeks at work were fun every morning when I opened up my inbox...

"I can only say I am very happy for you that you can make this choice in life. These are the truly important things in life, our children and family. I wish you all the best, and thank you for all your assistance along the way!

That's great Anna, there really is no job more important than raising your children.
Thank You for the GREAT SERVICE.  You will be missed.

I am confident the transition will go smoothly.  More importantly, I am very happy and excited that you will be at home with your baby.  I was fortunate to be home with my two daughters and I wouldn't have had it any other way.  Enjoy this time.  My daughters are 22 and 27!! 

Awesome for you! Congratulations on the move to focus on the family. Fantastic. Babies are the best aren't they?

That is sad to hear! We understand the importance of family...we have 4 kids ourselves! Thanks for all your help over the last 3-4 years!

Just a quick note wishing you and your family all the best! It has been nice working with you over the years. I hope your new chapter is all you want it to be.
Bummer to hear you're leaving, but wishing you well in focusing on the important stuff! 

Thanks for all your guidance and help. God bless you and yours in your next chapter :)

Thanks Anna.  On to bigger and better things!   Been a pleasure working with you...best of luck (and congratulations!)

It has been great working you!  All the best to you and your family.  Cafe imports is our number one partner because of service like yours!  

Thanks for your email, Anna. Enjoy your time in the home and with baby  precious time.  I'm sure you'll still drink really good coffee.  We wish you all the best. 

May you be blessed as you step out into this new season of life. I have always appreciated your helpful attitude and cheerful voice. I am sure you will be missed around the office...but I am excited for you and your baby to spend more time together.

Bittersweet indeed, I'm sure, but always encouraging to hear of people wanting to take care in raising their kids, so proud of you. Has always been a pleasure dealing with you and I also hope you get to pursue you pottery vision in the future!

Anna!  I’m so happy for you, but so sad for me :( My monitor’s not large enough to write the big boo-hoo I’m feeling right now. You will be sorely missed!  That’s not to say someone can’t fill your shoes, but I especially enjoyed the working relationship you and I had.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the kind assistance you give me over the last few years.

Great decision that you will never regret.  Thanks for all your help this past year as we have learned the roasting business.

We will miss you but wish you the best in life !! Thanks for the wonderful service you provided :)

Hi Anna, I want to wish you all the best. Children grow up quick, so enjoy your time with them. Thanks for all the help in bean selection and advice you gave me this year. You have helped grow my business; and you will be greatly missed. If you wish, please pass this email onto your manager. Your knowledge and customer service was excellent. Saddened with the news but thrilled for you and the next chapter in life. Thanks again for all the TLC you sent my way.

This makes me and Geoff very sad, we really loved working with you and appreciated very much how you looked out for those extra special lots for us.  I can completely understand however and wish you and your family the best!  If you are ever in the area please give us a shout and we would love to host you and your family for lunch at our cafe!

Farewell, I was always very pleased with your customer service.

Dear Anna, Despite the fact that we were a small small customer, we wanted to say "Thank You" from the bottom of our hearts.  As you well know, coffee is a demanding and competitive business and customers frequently ask for more than you can give. So, thank you for putting up with our requests and getting us samples and getting our coffees out so quickly.  We enjoyed doing business with you.  Most importantly, congratulations on your decision to move on and spend time with your family.  Its a great decision.  We wish you well in whatever you pursue.  Thanks Anna!

Hi Anna, Sorry to hear you are leaving but I wish you the best. Raising a baby is a full time job and I am glad you are able to devote all your time to it. Thanks for all you assistance the past few months.

Congratulations on leaving your position at Café Imports for the most important job in the world, that being a Mom.  You will never regret the time you spend with your children.  Seeing them take their first steps, say their first words, etc.  Seeing your kids grow up is something you can never get back if you miss it. Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you so much for the wonderful dedicated person you are.

Blessings with the growth of your family ahead. Please know you'll be missed! I love your priorities, however, and wish you all the best in your new role!"

My last day of work was surprisingly less emotional than I thought it would be. I didn't cry nor did I feel like crying. I felt, more than anything, a strong reinforcement that this is the right decision. I will miss some of the the amazing people that have become like family over the past four years but I am confident that the friendships will last. I will not miss the day-to-day like I thought I would. I am not very good with change and with big changes like this I usually feel a sense of desperation like I just want everything to go back to the way it was. Over a period of two and a half months, I've eased out of my position which has helped with the transition and more than anything I feel a sense of anxiousness to move on with my life and excitement for the future. It has hit me a few times on this road trip; pangs of happiness and a feeling of, "is this really real?" It is a weird feeling when you actually get something that you've always wanted. I am so thankful for Matt for giving me this opportunity. That makes me cry.