Coffee. Even on the roughest day, a good cup of coffee can bring a smile to my face. On a great day...well that's a whole new story. Coffee to me is like collecting stamps to other people. I can't get enough of it. Each new flavor provides something new, and every sip brings joy to my taste buds. Seriously, if those bad boys could talk I'm sure they would be thanking me for putting such delicious flavors in my mouth to enjoy throughout every day! And let me tell you, Starbucks is like the king of all coffees. Never in my life have I come across something so wonderful and tasty. And the smell, OH man! If I could wear a Starbucks scented perfume, I totally would. I absolutely LOVE waking up each day to the smell of Starbucks consuming home. There are so many beans to choose from, each with it's own unique touch. Some have an herbal feel to them, like your literally sipping your coffee in the Smokey Mountains watching the most beautiful sunset ever. Others have a richness to it so deep not even the wealthiest man on Earth could touch. Citrus has even made an appearance every now and then, although I can't say it my favorite. But setting aside the fact that Starbucks just cant be beat, one of my favorite things about coffee is that all over the world people gather and socialize over a good cup of coffee. How beautiful is it that a simple drink can bring millions of people together to enjoy quality time with each other?! So what is it about coffee that brings people together?
Over the years, coffee has represented a number of different things to me. It has represented love, friendship, community, a right of passage into nearing adulthood, a welcome to new beginnings, and has even offered a sense of comfort. Every time I pass a coffee shop, I can't help but enter. The smell from the outside hits my nose in such a way that I can't help but go in, even if it's just to get a better smell. I can almost taste the coffee once I enter. As I look around I notice so many people. Students rushing to get last minute studying in as they fill themselves with much needed energy. I see old friends reuniting at tables, taking in the friendly atmosphere. Businessmen come in on their breaks, slowly sipping their coffee, giving them a chance to rest from busy schedules. Others come in looking for a place to hide out and enjoy coffee while they read a good book. In the morning, the final drips and gurgling of the coffee pot sound the final wake up alarm, and the day can finally begin. It's almost as if the unique smells and sounds are necessary for the body to begin functioning properly. And after a long day, sitting back and enjoying a warm cup of coffee can't be beat. As a child, I watched my parents come home from work and discuss the days events over a long cup of coffee. As long as coffee was still in their cups, it meant that we should leave them alone to enjoy the company of each other. Sometimes they would have more than one cup in order to give themselves more time. While they had their coffee, us kids would gather around the table over hot chocolate mimicking what we saw. Now, years later I understand why they did that. Something about coffee makes me feel like I am escaping the rush of the day. The fifteen minutes to an hour it takes to enjoy just one cup of coffee gives me enough time to take in the day and relax for a little while. I can get lost in the smell, and as the warm liquid makes its way down my throat, it warms up my body and comforts me. If someone is joining me, both of us get taken away into coffees tight grip. All over the world people experience the same effects of coffee that I do. Coffee will always hold a special place in my heart. To me and the rest of the world, coffee is much more than a drink...coffee is the perfect escape.
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