Saying goodbye is not easy for me. In fact, for me, farewells usually involve tears. It’s been that way ever since I was a little girl. I remember crying when my cousins moved to North Carolina (I was five years old). I cried a lot when my best friend Megan moved away. There were lots and lots of tears when we made our move from RI to GA. And it’s pretty much the same story with every other goodbye since.
What can I say, I’m an emotional person!
Times may be changing though because I didn’t shed a single tear at my goodbye lunch today at Olive Garden. That’s not to say I wasn’t on the brink of tears.
Before I go on about my emotional self, can we just talk about how much Olive Garden has improved over the years?! My friends and I used to go a lot in high school, but since then, I‘ve only been a handful of times. The quality of the food has vastly improved over the past 10 years. I was impressed by the Minestrone soup, fresh salad (four bowls worth), and warm breadstick that was my lunch. And everyone else’s meals looked equally as delicious. Next time, I definitely want to try one of the desserts.
YUM.
Ok, so back to me. I’ve been with my current company for almost two years. And because of the leadership program I’m a part of, I’ve had the opportunity to live and work in three different geographic locations (AZ –> MA –> and now FL). I’ve learned a lot along the way, but honestly, the people I’ve met and gotten to know are what have made the past two years so special.
I remember my last team meeting in Tucson. I was an emotional wreck. As soon as I started tearing up, about 2/3 of the team joined me. And right before I left Marlborough, I hugged one of my coworkers for two minutes (while crying).
So as you can imagine, I was super impressed by my sense of composure today. The team in Florida has been awesome to work with. I seriously have had the best luck with coworkers. It’s just that there are so many fun things happening in the next two months…I’m honestly just too excited to cry. Also, I know that I can always visit since St. Pete is only 3.5 hours from Fort Lauderdale.
I like to call these bittersweet times. I’m leaving a company that has provided me with some amazing opportunities over the past couple of years and coworkers that have made the journey worthwhile. However, I know that keeping in touch with everyone will be easy with all the technology that’s available.
And anyway, there’s no reason to get sappy just yet…I still have 1.5 weeks left. They can’t get rid of me that easily! We’ll see how I fare next Friday (my last official day). Will Parita’s tears make an appearance?? Only time will tell!
Are you an emotional person? Do you cry easily? If not, how do you show your sadness?
Amy @ Second City Randomness says
May 9, 2012 at 7:19 amI’m glad you had a great farewell! And it’s ok to not cry- I’m not a big emotional person. That doesn’t mean I don’t feel the “pain”, I think I just display it differently. We all have our ways… lol
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:53 pmYou’re right, tears aren’t the only way to show sadness. I guess it’s just what I expect from myself! Ha!
Khushboo Thadani says
May 9, 2012 at 7:35 amSounds like a great farewell and hey, tears are a good indicator of the amazing memories you’ve created! If you didn’t enjoy your time there, chances are you wouldn’t be upset about leaving! I used to be an emotional wreck when it came to saying bye to close ones, but I’ve gotten a lot better! Hallejuah for technology, especially Skype & Blackberry messenger :)!
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:52 pmThanks, K! It’s been a great 2 years. But technology really does make things so much easier!
sprint2thetable says
May 9, 2012 at 8:08 amthat’s awesome you’ve had co-workers and positions that we so good you wanted to cry! i almost threw a party when i left my last job. lol! 🙂
can’t wait to hear about where you’re going next!
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:52 pmIf you’re talking about the job I think you’re talking about, I would have threw a party for myself too!
And don’t worry, once my plans are finalized, I’ll share a little more! 😉
loftyappetite says
May 9, 2012 at 9:27 amI’m a crier at goodbyes too. But you have every right to be emotional right now! you are going through a huge change in your life! New home, new job, new husband, new life! You are saying goodbye to single Parita and starting a new chapter! It’s all bittersweet, make every moment last! 🙂
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:51 pmYou’re so sweet! Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I’m really trying to enjoy these last few weeks. 🙂
Honey What's Cooking says
May 9, 2012 at 3:59 pmyes, i’m definitely an emotional person… I do cry pretty easily if i care about the person. my last job, I didn’t shed a single tear, well I quit because I hated working there. Sounds sad.. you’ve moved around quite a bit, I give you credit, I made 1 move my whole life and I it’s so hard for me to leave the NJ/NYC area… I have all my family here.
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:50 pmYeah, I’m pretty much a moving pro! And I know how you feel…when I left Atlanta for the first time, I was a hot mess!
Sig says
May 9, 2012 at 7:44 pmI cry at the drop of a hat. Ads on TV make me tear up lol! I’ve only cried once at a goodbye and that was when I left for HK last yr for 3 months – Evs actually left for a business trips hours before my flight and I felt like he was leaving ME instead of the other way around. So was crying.
Enjoy your last week and a bit !!
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:49 pmMe too! Lately, I find myself tearing up at all of the Mother’s Day commercials. It doesn’t take much!
Jessica @ Stylish Stealthy and Healthy says
May 9, 2012 at 8:04 pmI actually thought I might cry at my “goodbye happy hour” a few weeks ago, but I kept it together pretty well! And add a little booze into the equation and I’m usually on the verge of tears as it is. Glad you had such a nice farewell lunch!
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:48 pmThanks, Jess. And if you add alcohol to an already somber moment for me, it’s game over.
Ameena says
May 10, 2012 at 10:35 amBittersweet is right…but you have so many good things coming your way! I’m happy for you.
I don’t get emotional much…unless you count getting angry at the drop of a hat emotional. In which case then yes! 🙂
I must give Olive Garden another chance…it’s been about a decade but I hear it is quite tasty now!
Parita says
May 10, 2012 at 9:47 pmThank you, Ameena! And I too am emotional in many different ways. 😛
hollyeatsinfrance says
May 11, 2012 at 2:36 amI always liked Olive Garden for the drinks than anything else. They had some good cocktails.
I’m not good at goodbyes either, I think that’s why I always just leave instead of making a big scene. I hope you have plenty of new happy memories, where ever you’re going next!
kenthinksaloud says
May 16, 2012 at 2:20 pmit’s important to be yourself – sad or otherwise. For me, I don’t cry much but I think it is important to be able to and allow yourself to if it is the natural thing to do. The worst thing is if you bottle something up in the belief that it is ‘silly’ to show your emotions. Good luck!