Twenty-five years

Today marks my 25th anniversary with the company I work for. Twenty-five years. A quarter century.

Of all the milestones I’ve reached at work and even all the birthdays I’ve celebrated, this day is hitting me harder than any of them. I’m not really sure why that is, but it’s given me a lot to think – and feel slightly uncomfortable – about.

I say that mostly jokingly, but there is some truth to it. I messaged the only other guy who was hired during the same year I was and asked, “how did we get old enough for this to happen?” But it isn’t necessarily that I feel old, it’s just that I don’t know how I can be old enough to have done something for twenty-five years.

When I tell people about the anniversary, there are two distinct responses. From the people who have been with the company longer: big deal. From the people who haven’t: astonishment.

I’m lucky to work for a business that has given me as many opportunities as it has, to have a boss and coworkers who support me so generously, to work closely with people I can trust and rely on and to have made many friends and established beautiful relationships along the way. I have no qualms about having been with the company as long as I have. In fact, it’s a testament to the organization as a whole.

And speaking of great friendships I’ve made at work, in one of the most touching moments of my year, my friend went out of her way to celebrate my milestone and it was one of the sweetest things ever. ❤️