Champagne Wishes And Caffinated Dreams

Some people remember their first kiss, their first car, their first... ummmm... period? 

Sorry, dudes.

I remember my first cup of coffee.

I was a junior in college, and facing an all-nighter in order to finish a writing assignment.  Caffeine was required, and I was out of my usual culprits.

Pop is for the weak.  That’s, right, I called it POP.  MUWAHAHAHAHA!

I barely had time to finish the paper, much less go to the grocery store.  No, another solution had to be found.

Enter my wonderful roommate.  She had been drinking coffee since high school, and always had a bountiful supply on hand.   She showed me how to brew up a pot, and soon....I lost my coffee virginity.

WOW! THIS STUFF WORKS GREAT!

That first cup was black, as my roommate didn’t go in for any fancy artificial creamers.  I didn’t like the way it tasted.  But I loved the way it kept me up in time to finish that paper.  And I’m pretty sure I got an ‘A.’

Thanks, coffee!

From that point on, for better or worse, I was hooked.  Coffee followed me to class throughout college, even night classes. My first “real” job was made bearable only by the presence of the city’s best coffee shop right across the street from my apartment.  Law school and coffee went together like peanut butter and bananas.

What?  I like them.

I welcomed the presence of flavored coffee, half-and-half, and yes, artificial creamers.

Enjoying this is like admitting you like lutefisk.  

You know you’ll be shunned, but you don’t really care.

I’ll still drink it black, if necessary.  Black coffee is better than no coffee, and it is necessary if you’re eating a rich dessert.  Who can stomach a piece of flourless chocolate cake together with a cup of sugar-laced coffee?

Heathens.

During my pregnancies, I was forced to give up coffee.  This initially was more upsetting than having to give up wine.  BUT, Mother Nature was kind enough to make me throw up every time I even smelled coffee.  It was probably the only time that puking made gestation MORE bearable.

Thanks, Mother Nature!

All of this to lead up to the fact that, since Toddler has been up all night for weeks with an ear infection, coffee has been more important than ever.  And with talk of ear tubes in the works, I have a feeling it will continue to play a critical role in my ability to function like a normal adult. 

To the best of my abilities, which may not be saying much.