All Good Things Must Come to an End :(

All good things must come to an end :(  My home away from home is in its final days of existence, but how grateful I am to be a part of these days!

I started working at Kennedy's in the Fall of 2006.  I had returned from my summer in Africa and had no job lined up for the year.  Stephen and I knew we were getting married that Spring and that I would be taking that semester off.  So I needed to find something that would work with my school schedule in the Fall, but allow me to work more in the Spring.

So a couple of weeks after I got home I walked into the store and asked if they were hiring.  Later that day I got a call from Mrs. Stephens who said they were, and asked me to come down to speak with her.  In true Kennedy's fashion my "interview" consisted of, "what's your schedule and what days and hours could you work?"  I love it!  They knew who I was because my old roommate, Carrie Smith, had previously worked for them and that was good enough.

While Stephen and I already had a date set and I already had my dress, we weren't actually "engaged" and I didn't have a ring.  I quickly picked out "my ring" and looked every day to see if it had gone missing.  One fateful day in October as I was putting out the case I noticed it was gone.  My heart started to beat quickly and I thought "this is it!"  Sadly I was mistaken and Mark informed me the guy from the bank who had been looking at rings bought it.  I didn't believe him at first, but when I didn't receive a proposal several days later I realized he wasn't lying.  Then I got upset because "some other woman" out that there was going to have the exact same ring.  Little did I know Stephen had bought the ring and it was being sent back to the manufacturer to have a larger stone placed in it:)  Mark, that little schemer!

Over the past six years I think it's probably fair to say that Stephen has "paid" for me to work at Kennedy's.  I just can't help it, I LOVE jewelry and crystal and china and....  And while all my great purchases are part of the perks of working for such a beautifully stocked store, the real gem is the people I work with whom I truly consider my extended family.  When you spend up to 40 hours a week with a small group of five to seven, they get to know the real you.  And while they know the good along with the bad, they love you for who you are!  Different people have come and gone over the past six years, myself included, but one thing remains the same:  love.

I'd like to introduce you to my Kennedy's family...

First there is Mrs. Stephens, better known to us as Jean Jean the Dancing Machine (a name given to her by Joni and for why I am not sure).  Words cannot explain the love and admiration I have for this woman.  She's not just been my employer, but a life mentor.  She is a confidant, adviser, shoulder to cry on and friend.  When others don't know what to say she does.  While there are MANY things I will remember about working at Kennedy's, one of them will always be the sign, that until recently, was prominently displayed above the sink, "Do not DARE leave a dirty utensil in this sink!  -Jean"  Simple and to the point.  That's how she is; you never wonder where she stands.  If I can grow to be half the woman of integrity she is I will consider it a success!

Then there is Mark.  "Mark, Mark the aardvark who lives in the park and likes to eat bark."  Not sure where that came from, but Joni and I made it up at some point.  If ever you need someone to make you laugh Mark is your man.  Most recently he has taken up making 2 minute videos which are quite hilarious.  Keep your eye out for the Mark Stephens YouTube station coming soon to your home computer screen!  Patient, that's a word I would use to describe Mark's relationship with me.  I am the WORST customer ever because I am "that customer."  You know, the picky one who sees every flaw.  I can't tell you how many times Mark has graciously cleaned, rhodium plated, and polished my rings, sent repairs back because they were not perfect and found pieces of jewelry specifically just for me!  Mark as you most recently said you are glad you are not married to me, (this was in response to the bill I rang up for myself just this past week), I am glad you have allowed me to be your employee these past six years.  You will always be MY jeweler!

Next is Linda.  I remember when I first started working I couldn't get over how much she looked like Melanie Matson (really this is just a side note)  Linda, along with Mrs. Stephens and Mark, knows everyone and I really do mean EVERYONE in Nacogdoches.  I can't tell you how many times I would greet someone and ask if I could help them only to be told, "I'm here to see Linda."  Linda kept things exciting the first two years I worked at Kennedy's.  She always had a funny story to tell and you could be sure that if some crazy person came into the store, she would make a drawing to commemorate the event!  I remember for a long time a drawing that hung on the stairs of me with my hair on fire, because this is what Linda said would have happened to her if she had been helping this specific customer!  Linda while you have been teaching these past several years you have been missed at Kennedy's and it's been so wonderful to have you back this last week!

When Linda made her transition to the world of Education, the Kennedy's family really did become more of a family when the lady we knew as "Sarge" took her place.  While I knew Julie just as Marks wife, minus one Christmas of working with her, I had never worked full time with her.  Her transition to Kennedy's happened while I was doing my student teaching and thus not working, but that summer I got to experience the Mark and Julie chemistry.  While Mrs. Stephens and her husband David had worked together their entire careers, I had never experienced working with spouses.  I must say it is SO much fun and if anyone can do it and do it well, it is Mark and Julie.  Julie brought a whole new component to the atmosphere and only made it more amazing.  I think the reason I like Julie so much is because I see a lot of myself in her.  Every time we would do the, "Our Favorite Things" window display, Julie and I would have to compromise on what would go in my part of the window versus her part of the window.  Julie while I was really sad to see Linda go, I am so glad you are the one who took her place!

The last adult I've had the privilege to work with has been B.J.  I do believe that she made her first Kennedy's appearance many years before mine.  While I have only worked with her for a short time I can see what a life long friendship looks like when I see the relationship between Mrs. Stephens and she.  B.J. thank you for showing me what friendship can look like 60+ years down the road!

In taking a break from the "adult" employees I'd like to move to the kids.  When I first started working the two other college students where Joni and Tony.  Lets talk about Tony first.  While I knew of Tony because of my roommate, I did not know him well.  I have to say he is by far one of the coolest guys I've ever worked with.  Some of the things I remember most are his hiding out in the engraving room with his little tag along David by his side, his unique style and artistic abilities.  Tony took Stephen and my's engagement pictures and when the first batch didn't turn out exactly like he wanted, he graciously did a second round.  Tony your creativity and coolness has been greatly missed these past several years!

Then there is Joni.  Who knew what a great friend I would have in this amazing Woman of God.  Joni, right up there with Linda, might know almost everyone in Nacogdoches.   I do believe she has been the longest employed student (not counting Linda).  She was there all through my wedding planning and never once complained.  One of my favorite memories of her would be all her drawings that you could find prominently displayed by the wrapping counter.  I'm not sure what has happened to it, but for a long time there was a picture of all of the Kennedy's Crew (Joni, Lerin, Ryan, Linda and Myself) with sayings next to us all.  I honestly don't remember what everyone elses said, but mine said, "I got it at Ross."  Joni is the type of friend who will do anything for you, and I mean anything!  Most recently she graciously met up with a random man from Craigslist to pick up a crib for me in Franklin, TN.  She stored it for several months before delivering it to Nacogdoches.  Joni I cannot begin to explain how grateful to God I am that you and I had the opportunity to work together and become friends!

Then came Lerin.  Lerin and I have a history long before Kennedy's, back to my first Sunday in Nacogdoches when we moved here in 1999.  I like to joke and say that Lerin has followed in all my career paths starting with the Sno Cone stand, then to the CLC at church, and lastly to Kennedy's; she's yet to make the leap into education though;)  It really is such a joy to be able to say you work with one of your best friends.  She's one who knows how I tick and what I am thinking.  She knows that when I've had a bad day that playing with my hair will make me feel better.  Lerin your paragraph is short because I cannot even begin to explain our relationship!  I LOVE you so much!

One of the best things about Joni and Lerin is that they share my same love language...picking.  This brings me to Ryan.  Oh how we shower Ryan with our constant love.  I remember when Tony quit and we started to figure out who to recruit to be our next boy employee.  Ryan was just a wee one still in high school.  There are too many things to say about Ryan so I will just share one.  He might or might not think there are 52 states.  I mean that is including Alaska and Hawaii, right? ;)  Ryan Russel you are my hero and if ever you were in doubt of how much we all love you, just remember the list!

Lastly for the college students there is Catherine,  while she may appear to be mild and sweet I like to think of her as sweet and sour;)  I love Catherine's realness and she is quite funny.  She too can do some good ole picking with the rest of us and helps us put Ryan in his place.  It's been great to see how God has worked in Catherine's life over the past several years.  Catherine I hope you are having the time of your life this summer and it will continue into your study abroad!  We have missed you these past several weeks:)

There are also the two jewelers I have worked with over my six years: Rema and Mark H.  I only worked with Rema a few months, but I remember how fun she was to talk to.  You never knew what she was going to say, or what her hair was going to look like, and she always had an interesting story to tell.  Rema, if you read this know you are missed!

Then there is Mark H.  I don't even know where to begin with this fella.  One thing I can say is that if anything, Mark is honest and an open book.  I love that he was willing to share his story, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  It is through Mark that I have learned that people truly can change.  Mark, if you are reading this thank you for sharing your life with me and being so real!

While this post has become drastically longer than I intended, I hope it gives you a glimpse into how much I love working at Kennedy's.  If you have ever worked at Kennedy's in the past I know you must share this same love I have.  From the finding and hiding of the pig, to the Artisan Event, and the annual Christmas party, we all share one common bond and that is to have been graciously employed by the Kennedy's/Stephens family!

It is with all my love that I write this post!