So this is how it begins…

barrelmakersdaughter.com ♦ June 16, 2012 ♦ 2 Comments

For me it began two days ago with a simple act of kindness by my office manager, ReGina.  Knowing I was under the weather this week with a sinus infection, she generously brought me a Chai Latte from Starbucks.  She said they always help her when she is congested, and I eagerly took a sip.  At that moment I knew there was no turning back, and I was about to become a STARBUCKS CUSTOMER!

I know I’m quite late to the game with this one.  But I don’t drink coffee, so I have never gotten into the Starbucks craze.  (While I do love tea and I know Starbucks sells tea, Teavana is my crack den of choice for my tea supply. In fact, one of the kitchen counters at home looks like it came straight out of a Teavana store. I could probably qualify as an outlet shop for them.)  So each time a friend or coworker has asked if anyone wants anything from Starbucks, I have always answered with a no. Then I watched as the magic cups of goodness were passed around to those who eagerly awaited their arrival.  Even though I had no desire for the coffee inside the cups, I did strangely long to be one of those sipping from the cups–if felt like a special club that I longed to join.  Granted, I knew I was saving a lot of money by not being in the club, but still…it looked so cool!

Waking with congestion and a cough this morning, I decided I needed to take a bold step. (When Siri can’t understand you because you’re so stuffed up and starts dialing the wrong people, drastic measures are required.) I got myself to a Starbucks drive-through–I didn’t feel quite initiated enough to actually go inside,  but a drive-through seemed a safe place to start.  As I pulled away with my purchase, I felt like I had just completed a rite of passage…I’m a Starbucks customer.

What began as a kind gesture by ReGina is sure to become a new line item in my monthly budget.  And I am okay with that, so long as I can keep it in moderation.  I am sure someone somewhere has started a group for Starbucks addicts, and I’d like to avoid the day when I have to go to a meeting and announce, “My name is Cathy, and it’s been 2 weeks since my last Chai Latte.”