Welcome home

I walked in and the familiarity of the décor, smell of the coffee, and funky grooves playing on the speakers seemed to wrap themselves around me and squeeze tightly in that way one hugs a loved one who has been long gone...and I have been; long gone.

The owner greeted me warmly, a hug in fact, and said, "welcome home G-dog, we've missed you." It felt as genuine as it was intended and I responded in kind, hugged back and smiled broadly. "It's been too long, but now I'm home."

I wasn't overstating matters, I'd actually missed this place so much...Not the coffee. Not the food. Not the warm welcome. Not the conversations and laughs...Well, not any one thing in isolation anyway. I missed everything combined and and said as much, adding that it was good to be back and to see her and the staff once again.

For the last few years I've come here every working day of every week. I'd leave my nearby office around 10am and spend 3-4 hours here working and writing for Hive. In truth, it was more Hive-writing that working and a vast majority of my posts over the last few years have been written here in full or part. It's that sort of place I guess; somewhere I feel comfortable and able to relax enough to pour my thoughts out in words on a computer screen.

The last time I was here was 5th November 2021, the Friday before I started my new role at the company I currently work for.

It's an autonomous on-the-road and office-based role on about a 70/30 split however as I'm new to the industry I've spent the last few months acclimatising, learning, evaluating and planning which meant I was mostly office-bound. This week is the first I've been out on the road actively visiting clients, existing ones, shaking hands and flying the company flag. That's given me the opportunity to come to the café, which is not located close to my new companies' offices, and I jumped at the chance.

Over the last few months the owner and I have kept in contact with text messages and she'd been asking when I was coming in and today was the day; I surprised her and, to be completely honest, her reaction surprised me, in a good way.

For me it truly felt like coming home; literally. I have spent so much time here for so long that it feels like I am part of the family and have been treated as such. But the open display of affection from the owner, the genuine welcome I received, the words welcome home made me feel pretty damned good; valued for more than just my money.

I ordered a lunch-favourite of mine, a salad of quinoa, roasted chicken, cranberries, almonds and rocket (arugula) served with a lemon wedge. Squeeze that lemon on it and one is left with a very legit-tasting lunch. Of course coffee was involved and I went for an iced flat white as it's a very hot day. It was all, as to be expected, very tasty.

I didn't work whilst here, I wrote this post instead. I know, it doesn't say much at all really however for me it felt good to be here, enjoying the food and beverages and some time writing for Hive as I've done so many times. Of course, the feeling of being like family, being home, is nice too.

I'll not be able to come here daily as I have in the past but I'll drop in now and then and soak up some a little of the atmosphere each time and probably write a post each time also - it feels right to do so - and that's what I've always done. I'm a creature of habit sometimes.