People Knowing My Name...

It's hard for me to pick a place where everyone might know my name. I'll blame my parents and myself for that, because they gave me a hard-to-pronounce name and then I made it worse by hyphenating my last name when I got married.

However, there are a few places that I really love to go, because I am recognized and valued there. Three essential spots:

• The Red Key - Lana knows my name, which is the most important part, because I love Lana. Everyone else is lovely, too, and we always run into friends here.

I like the Red Key so much I bring finger puppets there.

• The Monon Coffee Company, either location - it's kind of funny that someone who seldom drinks coffee (me) would feel so much at home at a coffee shop, but I do. It doesn't hurt that they have Rene's delectable almond croissants and pumpkin bread, as well as a clientele (and staff) that typically includes a friend or two.
• Yats, early crew on College - I love the Yats crew, Joe and all the good guys at the counter. They always welcome me, noticed when I lost weight this year, even though I go there one-tenth of the amount that I used to (it's not close to work any more), are respectfully flirty, and always ask how my husband is.  

It's fun to go places where people know me, but it's even better that I get to go places where I know people - you know what I mean?

This post is a part of #thinkkit11.