Well, the day has arrived. Today was our last day as owners of Kreme Kastle in Brownsville, TN. Crazy. Hard to believe. Bittersweet.
It's been a great day. The restaurant has been so busy all day and it felt great. We are truly blessed. I found myself going through a rollercoaster of emotions all day. I was excited and then walked in the kitchen door to take a few things to the cook and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. The cook and I just cried! Then, I was okay again :) It's interesting how this day played out. The day started with KK being short handed because one of our cooks just didn't show up on the last day (welcome to the restaurant business) and then another member of the kitchen staff had to leave early today. So, I got called to come help for a short bit of time to help them get through the end of the lunch rush. Looking back, I am so glad this happened. I haven't worked a single day or single minute in Kreme Kastle since February when I started my new job. I am thankful that they needed me today, because it just felt right to end our Kreme Kastle journey this way.... me helping in the kitchen during a crazy, fast paced lunch hour. This is how our journey started and ironically this is how it ended. It was nice to feel the "high" and excitement of the restaurant business one last time. I got to see many of our customers and that made me happy :) For that, I'm thankful and believe that God had a plan for today that I never expected. I needed that brief time of working today to help me find closure in our Kreme Kastle journey. It's been fun and quite a ride, but it's certainly time for my family to move on and begin a new chapter in our lives. Josh and I have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the place and it's been a HUGE part of our lives for over 3 years. Life will be so different, but I know in a good way.
As I reflect over our time at Kreme Kastle, I am flooded with all kinds of thoughts and emotions that I want to "write" down.
Blessings from Kreme Kastle:
- creating so many wonderful friendships with our loyal customers
- having family that supported us in so many ways. We could never have made it without our moms.
- Many of our employees have become family to us. They have changed our lives forever.
- I can't help but think about how grateful I am to have been able to stay home with Josie the first year of her life while Josh committed so much time to KK
- I feel that this experience gave Josh the confidence that he needed to finally pursue his dreams. God has a purpose in all things and I think this was certainly a big part of His plan.
- allowed Josh and I to have a greater appreciation for our family
What I'm looking forward to the most in our life "post KK"......
- having our life back. Not many people can understand this. In the past 3 years, we have only had TWO Friday nights that we were not at KK. We are anxious to get to do fun things as a family and with our friends. It will be nice to truly understand what TGIF means and the excitement of 5 o'clock on Fri nights again
- enjoying a family dinner at night with ALL THREE of us and not worrying if the phone will ring because KK needs us
- enjoying the simple things in life.
- going to church again as a family instead of just me and Josie
- Josh being able to focus on school as much as he needs to
- watching Josie enjoy having her daddy home and not always asking where he is or where he is going
- not having to go to Wal Mart for a couple of hours every single Saturday and then unloading huge load at restaurant!
- not feeling like we are always in a rush
- not making poppyseed chicken every single Tuesday night
- THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.....
If you are still reading this, thanks for "listening." Kreme Kastle has been a HUGE part of our lives and I had to document my many thoughts because I don't want to ever forget what I'm feeling at this time. I know I rambled on and on. Forgive me :)
I'm looking forward to the future.
Bundled up for a hayride :)
Josie and Anabeth making Halloween necklaces!
Painting pumpkins with Miss Molly at church!
Sweet cousins :)
sweet friends!
best buds :)
