I know I've said it before, and I'm beginning to sound like a whiner, but it was really tough to go back to work and leave my boys.
But I underestimated my Other Family. My work family at IKEA.
While I was on mat leave, I didn't think very much about how much I love the people there, and all the reasons that I have stayed with the company for 12 years.
When I first walked into the office last month, the first thing my work-bestie asked me was if I was okay. I was trying not to cry after I had left M at daycare and he didn't so much as look back over his shoulder at me as he ran off to play with his pals.
And then one of our funniest coworkers stopped by in our area, and I didn't want to look like an crying idiot so I pulled myself together and ended up laughing at something ridiculous he said.
And so it went. The first few days were kind of a honeymoon period, where people kept stopping at my desk to welcome me back, to ask about the kids and to look at pictures of them. It was the most popular I have ever felt in my life. It was pretty cool.
While IKEA is a big company, it's also kind of like a small town. I work with people now that I haven't seen in 10 years because we've both been in different locations since we first worked together. One of my favorite coworkers and I had ever only corresponded by email and phone for the better part of 4 years and now work at adjoining desks. The guy who hired me to work as a part time cashier 12 years ago works a few aisles to my left, and my first ever cash manager (from 12 years ago) works an aisle to my right. I've known people since before they were married with kids, and since before I was married with kids. I've been to their homes, their weddings, their baby showers. Hubby is even going to play on an all-IKEA curling team this winter. All of this goes a long way towards making it worthwhile to shlep into work every day.
One of the reasons I think that IKEA is so much like a family is because there are a lot of families there. Obviously with the exceptions of conflict-of-interest and direct-reports, IKEA is okay with office romance, and office family trees. I met hubby when we both worked in the store. Another work friend is expecting baby #2 with a guy she met through IKEA, too. There are husband and wife IKEA employees, brothers and sisters, parents and kids, neighbours... it's really cool when you think about it.
Anyway, I know a few of my IKEA buddies have even been so awesome as to read some of my blogs, and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you guys and gals for making my work days so great - even when they can be extra-long days and we're fixing a giant mistake or dealing with some crisis. At least we're in it together, right guys? Right?
