I’m choosing not to cry because it is over, but to smile because it happened.
Aspen Bakery and Coffee Bar, originally 309 Aspen Bakery, has been one heck of a ride and I owe it all to my parents. I began this business not knowing what was going to happen. I was going into my senior year of high school, 17 years old, and taking 19 credit hours. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I did. I’ve graduated high school, seen friends come and go, lost loved ones, traveled to new places, took on a second job, gained new friends, and so much more in 2 short years. Life has been far from calm. I always find it humorous that I had a Pinterest board called “My Future Bakery” years before I ever knew Aspen would come to be. It had been a dream forever. With that being said, all good things must come to an end.
I have so many people to thank, but the most important are my family. People who know my parents know how amazing they are and I am lucky enough to experience that 24/7. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, they listened to me rant and rave about things that irritated me, they comforted me when I was down, and most importantly picked me up when I needed it. If I had been able to hand pick my parents, there’s no way I could have picked any better two. You’ve both done so much for me that I will never be able to repay you. We haven’t always seen eye to eye and we’ve disagreed often, but no matter what they always had my best interest in mind and have been my biggest supporters since day one. Thank you for that.
To my sister, thank you for being my biggest fan. Even though we disagree often, I know that at the end of the day, you have my back. You have supported me in all of the major life decisions that have happened in the last few years. We’ve been there to see each other graduate college, became business partners, and start new adventures in life. Thank you for all you have done.
To our family friends, you know who you are, you guys knew my dream before anyone else. You helped to renovate and get things ready for opening, all in exchange for birthday cakes and coffee, and you’ve always been one call away if mom or dad couldn’t get there. For this, I can’t thank you enough. To the family friends we have picked up along the way, you will never know how much it has meant to me that you chose to support me and encourage me along this journey. I am forever grateful for this.
To my customers and the Wentworth community…wow, you guys have been amazing to my sister and I. I am so humbled by the love and support you have shown us. We have so many people we have grown to know over the past two years and even met some life long friends. I have met customers that can turn any bad day into a great one and ones who say exactly what you need to hear! I am forever grateful for the relationships Aspen has brought me.
Although my face will no longer be the one behind the counter, Aspen is in good hands. I can’t wait to embark on this new adventure, but I will never forget the people who have helped me get to where I am today. So, here I go again….chasing dreams!