Life has taught me the simplest things can strengthen a bond between two people. This summer my youngest was home from college yet still taking online classes. Sometimes she (my Buddy) and I would work together in my home office, while other days we would sneak off to our other office – Starbucks.

For many years I did not understand what the big deal was with Starbucks. At the time I wasn’t much of a coffee person and I was mildly intimidated by the Starbucks language that I did not understand. After visiting this newly found home away from home with my Buddy it didn’t take long before I heard myself saying I’d like a venti cold brew black rolling off my tongue like a simple child’s nursery rhyme. We especially fell in love with their pre-ordering. On each trip to Star-b’s (as we called it) we placed our orders before leaving home and when we arrived our favorite baristas had our cup of Joe waiting for us as if we are royalty and they have spent the morning preparing for us. Pre-ordering allowed us to grab our coffee and quickly find a table to begin working.

With our drinks next to us my Buddy and I each did our work coupled with the sporadic amuse of funny comments about what we were doing or people who were around us. We must have spent hours this summer sitting on the outside patio of our favorite Starbucks with a breeze blowing, sometimes rain pounding, and enjoying our work and coffee. This quickly became a time not only for work and coffee, but for moments that my Buddy and I were turning into memories. What did we talk about? I’m not sure. What did we laugh about? I couldn’t tell you, though I know we did both of those things. My Buddy and I both remember working and having fun. Simply being together was enough to leave an imprint on our hearts. Sometimes making a relationship stronger is as easy as a cup of coffee.

My Buddy is back on her college campus and I haven’t gone back to our Star-b’s to sit outside and work because without her it doesn’t feel the same. I miss her every day but with each cup of coffee I drink I think of her and the bond we share not only in life, but in coffee as well.