The Magic of Coffee Makes Me Feel Grateful

For over half of my life, coffee’s generated a magical fascination for me. It’s something that I now enjoy nearly every day. (Sometimes, I opt for caffeinated tea instead.) Early on in my childhood, I never would have guessed I’d come to like coffee. When my mom offered me some of hers for the first time, I found it disgusting but can recall no other details about the experience. Little did I realize how much my opinion of coffee would evolve in a few years.

By twelve, I started drinking coffee sometimes in the form of lattes and frappes. My family used to go to the Starbucks fairly often while my stepdad was home from his truck-driving job. The place had excellent options for everyone, and going there was a special occasion because his work kept him away from home most days.

I relished the mocha frappes especially. Feeling the cold beverage in my mouth and tasting the delectable whipped cream and chocolate delighted me. Going to Starbucks was sometimes followed by my mom and stepdad buying books for everyone which makes the memories even better.

During my teenage years, my mom purchased a latte maker. I believe that I was fifteen or sixteen then — probably a little after I started drinking coffee regularly. My family enjoyed these frothy treats every day. It impressed me that my mom prepared a latte as soon as I got up each morning. As someone whose least favorite part of the day has always been morning, it made me like the first hour of the day significantly better. Even when we quit having lattes daily, my mom still prepared coffee for me every morning which I’m also grateful for.

Not only was coffee a staple at home, but I also enjoyed getting coffee with friends. Coffee shops eventually became one of my favorite places to hang out at. It was an easy way to socialize and have fun without spending a bunch of money. One local coffee shop used to be the favorite of a couple of friends and me. It remained so until I was twenty-four, and the coffee shop and many other places shut down for a long time after COVID hit.

The coffee shop excited us so much that one friend and I on at least a couple of occasions didn’t realize that we’d spent six hours there until the employees let us know that they were closing for the night. The ambiance in that place struck me as perfect. They offered comfy chairs and couches. Plus, the outdoor seating was amazing when the weather permitted.

At the same time, getting coffee also had a surprising role one time while I was grieving. When I was twenty-one, my stepdad died from colon cancer. The day that he died, my friend took me to some stores with her and to go to the coffee shop — accompanying me at one of my favorite places during my distress while I needed it.

As I worked on my Bachelor’s degree, the Starbucks at my college proved to be a significant place to me too. I’d meet classmates there and chat. Due to the amount of time I spent there, I knew the primary baristas who were always kind. It’s also where I used to regularly chat with someone who I met at the school’s writers’ guild and who is now one of my best friends. It became an area I associated with my favorite beverage, fantastic people, and a good place to work on homework.

Demonstrating their ability to serve multiple purposes, coffee shops also became places that I at times went to study at or to enjoy a book at. I found them an excellent place to do my schoolwork while removing myself from distractions for a few hours to just focus. Since I’m in the second year of my Master’s program, I’ve started going to coffee shops to study every now and then again.

I’ve found one that I like at Whole Foods, my favorite grocery store, where I’ll sometimes do my homework or read for a bit before grocery shopping. It means that the coffee accompanies another experience that I really enjoy. I love the large quantity of vegetarian and vegan food that Whole Foods contain making buying groceries there exciting.

Not only have coffee shops been places where I’ve spent time with friends and family or studying or reading, but they’re also important since some of my earliest dates with my boyfriend were at coffee shops. A couple of my co-workers set us up, and we worked near each other. Our jobs were both close enough together that we could even walk to the same Starbucks from them. I enjoyed all the time we spent enjoying each other’s company there.

I also loved introducing him to the local coffee shop that was a favorite of mine. Walking together on the sidewalk by the shopping center after buying our drinks feeling the light wind in the early winter months was spectacular. Neither of us had much money, so it gave us a great way to spend time together without having to worry about the cost. I didn’t know there would be a pause on those coffee dates since we met fairly shortly before COVID. Just the same, I really enjoyed them, and we’ve been together for over two years now.

As if this wasn’t a good enough reason to reminisce about coffee, it’s also thrilling because you have so many options to play with the taste. I’ve been buying vegan coffee creamers for the last two years. The ones I’ve savored include chocolate peppermint, pumpkin spice, vanilla, oatmeal cookie, and caramel. My mouth waters even thinking about it. Using coconut whipped cream is also amazing. I like to put chocolate syrup on top of the whipped cream or break up cookies to put on top. There are so many possibilities.

Coffee’s a beverage that brings back so many memories and that also remains part of my daily life. It’s delicious, and I think I would never run out of things to say about coffee.

My article is based on this prompt from Thank You Notes:

This is a great article by Amanda Laughtland about a vegan product: