My 2nd home being my job - Charlotte Russe.
To the average eyes, people outside of the situation look at it as something minor. Here's why it's important to me:
I started working there after I graduated H.S. I applied there in April of 2015 but I couldn't work there because I was only 17, and you had to be 18. So the manager at that time (Hi Telenea) told me to come back in June when I turned 18- I would basically be hired guaranteed. And when June came, I started working there right after my birthday on the 6th. I was instantly at home. I loved it there and I've been there since. Through all the changes in my life, I knew that was the place that would never change. My home life could be bad when I got there it was a different world. My co-workers were my friends and family. Even when the job itself went through changes- managers and employees- it was still the same foundation of oneness- a family. Although their was a whole staff switch since I been there in 2015, I built a bond with every girl they hired and the new managers. I am abundantly grateful for the experience of that store and really having to let it go is so hard for me to do. As I sit here in tears typing this- I am so sad to think of not going back to my safe haven, my second home, the only consistent place in my life. I feel like I lost a piece of me when I heard the store manager say "we're closing" it was like the only thing I knew was taken from me ( as if I didn't have a life before the job) but with it being post H.S it was when I really started experiencing life, and that job held me down through it all. To all the people I met at Charlotte on my journey, I love you all! thank you for being apart of my safe haven without even knowing, thank you for sharing your life experiences with me, thank you for being you and teaching me- you all hold a place in my heart forever - and although we are all still in contact and friends- its just different now, the common place of our bond is no longer. But I am super grateful for times that I did get to share at Charlotte. Not only did I learn a lot but I also made everlasting connections with people I'll never forget. And I got bomb a** clothes in the process of it lol. I didn't expect to be at this job with these people all my life because granted, retail is not what I want to do in my life by a long shot- God will literally push you out of your comfort zone to get you where you need to be. So now with the extra free time I'll have (when I'm not at school) ill be working on my career and master minding for that- getting the ball rolling. As I pull off from the pit stop on my journey I'm excited to see what's ahead.
Letting the emotions of this situation set free feels good.
Thank you God for the journey you gave me and the people I met at this pit stop.
Much Love, from cry baby Daija aka the charlotte OG <3