An Ode to My Co-Workers: My Chosen Family
Have you ever felt like you are exactly where you belong? I am. And it’s thanks to my co-workers. My chosen family.
Have you ever felt like you are exactly where you belong? I am. And it's thanks to my co-workers. My chosen family.
I’ve always felt incredibly lucky that this career chose me. Honestly, I never had any interest in radio. In fact, I thought the people who worked in it were a little intimidating. But while I was in college, I took a part-time job as a weekend host at a country station in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and on my very first day, I fell completely in love with it. I just knew: this is where I belonged.
Fast forward 30 years, through countless program directors, station managers, company changes, and, of course, morning show hosts and co-hosts. And here I am - working with my people.
My Family
That phrase means so much more to me now, especially after losing two pivotal members of my family - my dad and my sister. I didn’t fully realize it until they were gone, but they were my anchors. Just like a dog has it's "human," they were my people. The ones I called to sort things out in my head. The ones who helped me make sense of it all.
My Co-Workers
Today, I’m fortunate to have a wonderful family at home. I have a loving husband and two beautiful kids who are such a blessing - and that is not unusual. What is unusual, though, are the relationships I’ve built at work. This group of people isn’t just an extension of my family - they’re my handpicked family.
And I had no idea how much they would come to mean to me - or to each other.
I love that Donnie sends me random songs he finds on YouTube when he thinks I need them. And he's usually spot on. I love talking to Shannon about things my teenage daughter is going through at school or with her love life. I love that Jeff is so invested in my daughter's college search to the point that he knows more about these schools and their volleyball teams than the coaches do!
These people I get to work with every day - they are comfort. They are home. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
Wanna take a peek behind the curtain? Check out this article about The Andie Summers Show.
