Well, happy Valentine’s Day. I hope your day was lovelier than mine. It was another tough day at work because another colleague was let go. It was the last of the planned reductions, but it was an emotional one for me since I consider him a friend. I even had a heads up—he saw it coming and told me—but I felt very unprepared when I was told officially. It’s one of the few times I’ve ever cried at work. It feels like the end of an era since he’s the last of those who were instrumental in getting me my job.

I’m comforted by the fact that he has accepted it and is ready to move on to something better for him. And I’m hopeful that we will eventually begin an upswing towards a more positive environment. I spent a good portion of my afternoon trying to reassure others who came to me gauging my reaction since a lot of his work will fall to me. I’m thankful for those who worried for me, gave comforting hugs, and said they were happy I was there because I helped make it a happier place. We will be fine eventually.

I’m also thankful for Patrick, who met me for pizza and beer after work at our favorite place and who had this beautiful bouquet waiting for me at home because he knew it had been a tough day.