u/Dry_Factor1281

Sorry if this is really long. Ok, so some context. I (M23) worked a really fun job with two people, doing programming and activities for our city's recreation department. Unfortunately, our department was getting shut down and so we all decided to quit together.(Also, we're all about the same age, with my boss being one year old than me)

I would think we all got pretty close as far as co-workers go, and it was pretty sad to see it end. We all hugged on the last day, and my other co-worker texted me afterwards that she was crying that night. They both gave me really nice handwritten cards, and my boss even thoughtfully gave me like $40 in gift cards.

I was able to thank her for the card and everything in person, and told her I wanted to send her a card eventually too and she seemed happy about that. And my boss moved away directly after.

I went out for coffee a week or so later with my other co-worker and gave her a card that I had worked on plus a little funny toy frog thing, and we just talked and hung out.

The time spent and job meant a lot to me and so I put some good effort into the card, writing it across the back of a couple film photo prints I had (like a postcard) and I made some silly drawings and glued them on. It was a bit of an arts and craft project, which was a lot of our job. Anyways, she messaged later that she liked the card a lot.

I eventually sent one similar to my boss after she messaged her address, but it took me about a month or so, because I had been talking about going on a big solo trip and felt like it'd be dishonest to send it before I knew whether I could actually leave for it, as she did a lot of encouraging and gave me a lot of advice for it.

Here's the transcribed letter I sent to her:

"[her name]!!

*Where do I EVEN begin. <--- I guess that's where I begin.

Okay, now that I've begun...*

*Hope the move went good.

I'm so proud to have worked with, and to have gotten to know, such an amazing person. Like seriously. Not to repeat everything I've already said in-person but you are so kind, creative, understanding, you work so hard and are so patient, but you also stand up for and respect yourself, and it's all so great. I've told a lot of people about you, in the best way.*

*I've struggled with "being myself" at too many of my previous jobs, like I've felt my work self can be so different from my non-work self... you and [co-worker] were so awesome and easygoing that eventually I knew I didn't have to worry about whatever dumb social stuff it is that I usually worry about.. and I instead ended up just having such a fun time.

I wish I could've helped out a bit more with how things were going.*

---

*I wish you all the luck at your new place(s). And however it goes, I know you will find a way to make it all work out. Plus you totally deserve it all working out, so if it doesn't work out you might be legit cursed. Jk

I'll send some pics too, you've inspired me to take the leap outta here*

*I hope us three can get together someday for something! I miss it already. Every step towards the end was truly a bit too sad!! I woke up the next morning after our last day like... "Ah man, now what?" Like getting home after an awesome trip. I genuinely liked going to work for once (haha) and it's gonna be hard to find this kinda thing anywhere else

But I'm happy it happened and that we went off all together

Thank you!!*

*(You could literally own a #1 World's Best Boss mug and it wouldn't even be cringe, it'd be fr so real)

+Shoutout [their dog] and I hope your guys's wedding is sick af

-[my name]*"

Like the one to my co-worker, I wrote a bit on each photo about where/when the photo was taken, and I had some fun with some doodles and cut-out (cute and dumb, hopefully) drawings of animals/whatnot.

I can post the actual letter because I do have a picture in case it got lost in the mail or something, just lmk!

Also, in case I need to say it, I am NOT romantically interested in either of these people, I considered them my friends. Not to mention they both have partners. I really hope she didn't take it some wrong way.

I sent it with a small additional note attached apologizing for it being sent so late. After about a week or two I followed up via text to ask if she ever received it, and just asking how her new job is. Not that I needed a reply but I was already worried that I did too much so I wanted to say what's up. She read the message and hasn't replied in almost a week.

I just like to make things for people in my life and it just makes me feel horrible that I may have unintentionally weirded her out..