I’ve spent much of my time since college working. And most of that “working” time has been spent in an office with other people. Workplace friendships are interesting. Work is a place where you can really get to know people — collaborating on projects, eating lunch together, finding common interests, going out for a drink after work hours. Work has been a place where I’ve met and made some of the most wonderful friends!
When I used to work for the United Methodist Church, I would travel a good deal. And generally travel with coworkers, which meant having coworkers as roommates, too.
It was on one of those trips to Washington D.C. that I got to know Kim. We were not only “roommates” with one another, but shared a large room of bunk beds with about a dozen college students who were on a leadership/social justice education trip. We were “chaperones” in a sense and trekked around D.C. to various historic landmarks like the FDR Memorial and Ben’s Chili Bowl. Kim and I have been friends ever since — some 10 years.
Next — Emily, my “workspouse” for 5 1/2 years and friend for more. We also traveled together for work A LOT. Always roommates. Always eating the same meals at the same hotel restaurants. Once, Emily and I stayed in a college dorm room and the bathroom didn’t have a shower curtain rod. Shower curtain — check. Shower curtain hooks — check. Shower curtain rod??? Nope. We MacGyver-ed the hooks together to hang the curtain from the shower nozzle to a towel rod. We are creative, talented women, no?
It’s Friday, and you’re probably looking forward to the weekend — and a time away from work. Look around you at work or think about the friends you’ve made at work. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for them. I know I’m saying many prayers of gratitude for mine!
