Elvia, you were the best manager I have ever had. You made a larger impact on my life than you will ever know and I am so grateful for the two years I had to work with you. Coming into Inwood at 18 years old, I needed someone to take me under their wing...and you did. I will never forget the good times we had at our Rowlett branch. You were quick to listen and slow to speak. You always pushed me to find the answer and solution on my own, but you were there for me in any moment of need.
I will never forget our feuds. How you never let me live down that I went to Wylie East and Mesquite Poteet, where your granddaughter was in the band, always beat us in football. "You should've went to Poteet," you would say. I'll never forget how the Cowboys beat the Saints the Thursday night we had our Christmas party a few years ago and you never let me live it down. I'll never forget the notes you would leave at my desk telling me how you were gonna beat me in this week's fantasy football matchup...and then you did. And I heard about it for weeks.
I always looked forward to working Saturdays with you, as I was able to pick your brain about life and we would watch Criminal Minds together. I remember the times we had a really intense episode on at 11 and you didn't want to finish closing the branch until we knew how it ended. I'll always appreciate your taste in coffee - Starbuck's pumpkin spice latte. We would both always be so excited when they would start serving it again, and every year, you beat me to getting it first. I'll always appreciate our lunches we had where we would both compare who had the best chicken tenders.
Elvia, you were a fantastic boss. A fantastic person. And I am so grateful to call you my friend.