Everyone has their stops that are “must haves” when they return home. I was a little bummed because I was certain that one of my favorites, Summer Snow, would be closed by now. I didn’t even make the attempt last week, but as I drove by today, I was more than ecstatic to realize it was still open. So I hopped out to get one of my favorite summer treats this world has to offer.
One of the many reasons that I love this place is because of the owner. On my way out for the World Race, I stopped by to have one last treat and when I returned in May, it was literally my first stop. When I came back after being gone for a year, Sam, the owner, was one of the few people to recognize me. Almost everyone was a little confused when they saw me, but Sam wasn’t even fazed. The craziest thing about that was that until a few hours ago, Sam didn’t even know my name nor did I know his. Since he has always been one of the friendliest guys, I just assumed he was being nice, but without any word from me, he just said, “You’re the one that’s been gone on the mission field for a year aren’t you?”
I was shocked that some of my closest friends couldn’t recognize me, but he could. I wanted to talk more with him, but when I came back in May, it was the height of Summer Snow’s selling season so I didn’t have the chance. So this was yet another reason I was so stoked that it was open today. For the first time, I was able to talk with a man that has sold me one of my favorite things in the world since I was in middle school. He has always been so inviting and welcoming to me, but for the first time, I was able to really talk with him and share with him what I do and why I do it.
On the other hand, I was also able to chat with him for a little while and hear a little more about why he does what he does. For years now, Sam has been providing this town with one of it’s favorite treats from a one room, yellow shack that nearly everyone from here recognizes. He talked about how he has watched many people grow up, me being one of them, as the summers pass, and how he loves doing it. For years, he was the only employee and owner, but over the last several years, he has added a staff. As silly as it sounds, this business has been a huge part of my life, and so has Sam, even if we just met… technically.
