As my first semester of college comes to a close, it is fun to think about all the ways I have changed and grown in the past five months. It’s cool to look back and see where I have spent most of my time, and with who, and doing what. It is probably not to anyone’s surprise that I when I think back on the past five months, most of my memories come from sitting in Einstein’s bagels. Every. Single. Day. You can ask any of my friends and they could all tell you exactly where to find me at 10:30am on any given day (except Wednesdays when I had Chem lab). It would be the back left corner, two top table at the Einstein’s next to the humanities building.
It all started when I got out of Calculus early one day and had to kill time before my Engineering class. I ordered a sesame seed bagel, toasted twice, with garlic and herb cream cheese on the side. Little did I know that this treat would soon make up 90% of my diet. I fell in love with the little two top table in the corner by the window. After a few weeks, it basically had my name written on it. I hate to admit that my blood would even boil a little when I entered the room to see that someone was already sitting there. I also am slightly embarrassed to admit that I once stood around and waited for 15 minutes just so that I could sit at “my table”. The little table became the place where I do my quiet time each morning. I put my headphones in, play my “hype for Christ” playlist, read my bible, journal my thoughts and talk to Jesus. The growth that I have had in my relationship with God this past semester, has happened mostly at this little table in the corner. It wasn’t until after about a month of the routine, that I noticed a girl on the other side of the cafe who was also reading her bible. I started to talk to her and realized that she also sits in Einstein’s most days to spend time with Jesus. After all, it makes sense, I think bagels really are a gift from God. What a beautiful thing it was to talk to her and see someone else boldly living for Jesus. I’m blessed to say that after talking to her for ten minutes, I now know another familiar face walking on this huge campus.
Not only has my relationship with God grown here, but my relationships with some of my now best friends, all started here. You can only imagine how many people pass through the cafe during the couple hours a day that I camp out in Einstein’s. Not only is it a really fun place to people watch, but it’s also a really fun place to make friends. I sit alone with an empty seat across from me, making it easy to “trap people” into hanging out with me. When I see someone passing through and ask them to sit, they just can’t refuse. Sometimes the people that sit down with me are old friends, new friends, and on occasions even a stranger. So here’s to all the people who sat and talked to me whether they really wanted to or not, lol. Here’s to Bailey, and Ansley, and Reese, and Hope, Claire, Ashlyn, Kacey, Carleigh, Lauren, Leah, and so many more. You people know who you are. You’ve all impacted me greatly.
Not only can I shoutout to these people, but I also want to acknowledge the workers that always put up with my complicated order. I’m not gonna lie, they have gotten it wrong a number of times. But this is to the workers that have taken the time to recognize my face, my name and my order. Y'all are awesome and so very appreciated!! One worker in particular has even made it a point to come over and talk to me when the line gets less busy (which isn’t often unfortunately). Sometimes she will just tell me to have a great day and other times she will ask me about the book i’m reading. What a beautiful opportunity to show God’s love. So this one is for Destini at Einstein’s.
I don’t know what’s going to happen next semester, to my little table in the corner. I’ll be on a sorority meal plan which means that I can’t swipe my card and get a bagel whenever I want (shhhh I know it’s depressing, I don't wanna talk about it). BUT, my hope is that someone new finds comfort, fellowship, growth, and happiness at this table. Just like I did!!!
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