KML + Coffee 4 Ever!

I know this is my second post in a row about coffee, but given that the posts are nearly two weeks apart, I'll allow it, and I hope you will too.

I've been thinking long and hard about my relationship with Coffee.  (But not too hard because there are more important things going on in the world...  like ice cream...  and chocolate...)  More specifically, I've been reminiscing about my history with Coffee.  We go way back.

I guess we started "talking" when I was in high school.  Every week my youth pastor and I would go to Starbucks and enjoy some Bible talk and informal discipleship.  I would also enjoy a mocha frappuccino - chocolate, ice, milk and just a hint of espresso blended into bliss.

Then I started college, and Coffee and I took our relationship to the next level.  I would study several times per week at Coffee's shop just to be near Coffee.  Coffee's comforting aroma and warm touch thrilled me in ways beverages never had before.  Soon I found myself spending more and more time with Coffee.  In addition to the afternoon study dates, we decided to start each day together.  We carpooled to class each morning, enjoying every minute of the commute.  As we developed this deeper relationship, Coffee won my heart for good.

Coffee has seen me through a lot over the years.  We've celebrated the good times together - meaningful chats with our other friends, life-changing study of God's word, and each beautiful morning the Lord gives us the privilege of which to partake.  Coffee has also been there for me through the hard times - late night study sessions, sleep-deprived motherhood, and writer's block.

I would be less than honest if I let you believe Coffee and I have had the perfect marriage.  We've had a few bumps along the way.  I can remember the time I mistook Coffee's twin, Decaf, for Coffee.  I thought Coffee would never forgive me for that one, but we got through it.  But Coffee isn't totally innocent.  One time at church Coffee thought it would be funny to write Coffee's name on a coffee urn even though he knew full well that the contents of church coffee urns never come close to resembling actual Coffee.  I fell for Coffee's little practical joke and experienced the worst impostor coffee EVER.  But I'm not bitter.  Coffee and I went to counseling over that one, and Coffee has learned to consider my feelings before Coffee pulls pranks.

All in all, Coffee and I couldn't be happier together.  Some people will try to tell you that you don't need Coffee to make you happy or to make your life worthwhile, but I disagree.  Those people have either never had Coffee or are in relationships with church coffee and want to bring everyone else down with them.  Don't listen to them.  Go out today and enjoy some time with Coffee.

VIP

It's no secret that I frequent coffee shops.  Despite my typical frugality, I just can't resist a Starbucks mocha and the ambiance of their stores.  It is my atmosphere of choice for catching up with friends and for pensive personal time (PPT, if you will).  Many a blog posts are written from a comfy leather chair at my local 'bucks.  Knowing how ridiculously expensive their beverages are, I typically ask for gift cards for my birthday and Christmas (in case you are wondering, those dates are April 1 and December 25).  That way I can enjoy my coffee guilt-free.

Recently, Starbucks has started adding perks for those gift card holders who are willing to register their cards on the company website.  In exchange for their ability to track my every purchase, I receive things like free flavors, free refills, and a free birthday drink.

The other day I got something in the mail that had "Starbucks" written on the outside.  I opened the envelope and found this:

That, my friends, is a Starbucks Gold Card.

I'm not sure what this means, but the second I saw it, I was instantly convicted that the company has officially recognized that I spend way too much time (read: money) in their establishments.  I now have a permanent card just for Starbucks with my name printed on it.  It declares that I have been a gift card toting member since 2006.  I'm not sure what feelings Starbucks intends for this card to evoke in me...

Superiority?  Every time I purchase a drink with this card, am I to believe the baristas will treat me with an unearned respect because I have proof that I regularly shop there?  Certainly they don't treat their customers paying with credit cards or cash any differently...  Will the other patrons in line ask me for my autograph?  Or at least for my opinion on which beverage is the best?  They shouldn't.  My writing is illegible, and I order one of the same two drinks every time I go there.  In reality, I have no idea how most of their drinks taste.

Maybe the company wants me to feel appreciated.  They see me.  They know my name and how long I've allowed them to track my spending habits.  Well, at least their database knows.  The truth is, no person at this company knows my name.  And they don't have to to make the experience pleasant.  Cordial two-minute conversations and warm smiles can be exchanged just as easily with the customer who is a first-time buyer.

I was interested to see what my husband's reaction to my new found Starbucks status would be.  I thought he would find it pretty funny.  After all, who has ever heard of a gold card for a coffee shop?  Kinda silly, right?  When he got home from work that night, I said, "Look what I got in the mail today."  I handed him the card.  His jovial response was, "You know, most guys' wives get sent gold cards to department stores.  But not my wife.  She gets a coffee gold card.  It could be a lot worse."

That put it all in perspective for me.  I feel loved that my husband appreciates my "unusual" qualities and accepts me for who I am.  I shouldn't feel shame over my gold card.  It's just a silly marketing device that thousands of Americans are given each day.  Still...  I can't help but say, "My name is Kelly, and I'm a coffeeholic."