The End: My Last Day at Hooters

As most of you know, Saturday was my final day at Hooters.  Spending four and half years wearing the uniform of a Hooters Girl, the day could easily, and perhaps stereotypically, be described at bittersweet.  What it can also be described as is LONG. AS. SHIT.  And no, it's not because I was eager to get out of there and ceremoniously burn every pair of nylons I could get my hand on.  Instead it was because I - willingly - worked a double shift behind the bar.  Yup, I liked my job enough, even as the sun was setting on it, to finish it with a fourteen hour Saturday sendoff.

And let me tell you, that long, busy shift was so very worth it.  Yes, I made an incredible amount of money because of some very generous customers; the type of money I've never heard be made in a shift at my store.  But while that was appreciated, it that wasn't what made my last day memorable.  Rather my final shift after four and a half years was worth noting because of all of the people, who general cared and made it a point to come share part of the day with me.

I have always said that one of my favorite parts of my job was the fact that it introduced me to some truly amazing people that I otherwise never would have met.  While I say this often of my coworkers, it is also true of my customers, many of whom became like family to me.  I'm so fortunate that Hooters brought each and every one of them into my life.

With Jen and Joe on my last shift.

This post is for them (listed in no particular order, but loosely based on when they came in on Saturday):

• William: Thank you for remembering my birthday, bringing me energy drinks when I looked tired and being the first to wish me good luck on Saturday.  Don't worry, I've told the girls how to ring in an off-menu BLT for you.
• Chuck, Dave and Mes: My first and best bar regulars, thanks for coming in an having a final round (or five) of Coldsmoke Scotch Ale's with me.  Regardless of what you think it will taste the same if someone else has to pour it.
• Jen and Joe: You are some of my favorites.  From voting for me in anything and everything with a passion like no other to always making me smile, you were always a welcome sight at table 61.   Your roses were beautiful, but your company was better.  We should meet up for a Miller Lite and a Blue Moon (or mango margarita) with me sitting at the table rather than serving it.
• Puggz: You are and always will be my big brother.  I know we didn't start off so hot with the NASCAR incident, but I am so glad we both gave each other another chance.  You will be at my wedding and hold my babies and forever be a part of my life.  P.S. I still owe you a song on my guitar.
• Santa and Ms. Clause (Janet and Dave): Though you are somewhat new regulars, I am so happy to have met you!  I still remember the first time you ordered boneless wings and then barely recognizing you when you came in in full costume the next day.  Your energy and kindness was truly contagious.  Thanks for the cards and amazing homemade Mustard; my boyfriend wants you to know he'd like more.
• Marc & Josh: Marc, I know you've been through some rough times, but we got each other through.  And Josh, I look forward to sharing some tunes with you at the new place.
• TK: Your gorgeous orchids are adding some much needed color to my desk.  Thanks for making the drive to see me two weeks in a row for both my birthday and my final shift.  Your humor and candor is and always will be appreciated.
• Cindy and CJ: Thank you for letting me be a role model for CJ, Cindy.  You are a beautiful woman raising a remarkable daughter and am so happy that I had even a small part in that.  Tell CJ I still want to take her shopping
• Marc: Thank you for reading my blog and making it a point to come and meet the girl behind the screen.  The fact that you drove over two hours to meet me and then did so a second time to see me on my final shift is pretty amazing.  I wish I had gotten to know you better, but the fact that I know you at all is pretty good too.
• Whitney and Graham: I am so glad that our friendship has grown.  You are both as thoughtful as you are generous.  See you on our Thursdays!

While I've thanked all of these people specifically because they shared my last day with me in some capacity, this is only a small portion of the people who have impacted me at Hooters.  Over the years I have met a host of inspiring, interesting and diverse people I never would have encountered otherwise.  You all had an effect on me that, as a whole, is profound.

I'd also like to thank my owner, Steve.  A man who can often be of few words, I nearly had a moment of tears when he presented me with a bouquet of roses, a hug and a very sincere show of appreciation for my time at the store.  It was as meaningful and special to me as it was unexpected.  You words showed me that my time at Hooters was far more than simply serving tables and tending bar.  Thank you for that.

Stay tuned to hear about what's next.  But for now I just leave all the people who cared about me a few words to let them all know the sentiment was mutual.  Times change, people move on, but some things stay with you no matter what.