Starbucks

I love Starbucks! Anyone who has met me for even just a few minutes knows how true this is. Nothing more symbolized this than this last Christmas, when unbeknown to each other, every member of my family gave me a $25 starbucks gift card! I'm still working on them, it's great! Evan never understands my passion for "underrated coffee" in his terms. And it's true. Starbucks is not the greatest coffee. If I wanted a truly great latte, I would go to Sparrow Bakery, or Thump or Petite Provence in Portland. However, Starbucks is reliable, will be there in any city I go to and I think more than anything, it reminds me of home.

I started drinking coffee in college, and it symbolized time spent with friends. Anytime friends wanted to hang out, we went out for "starbucks dates". I think this is one main reason for my deep-rooted passion for Starbucks. Not only is it a caffeine boost, but every time I ask for my "grande caramel sauce latte" or "grande skinny vanilla latte", I'm also remembering every time Sam, Katie, Katelyn, Amy, Amanda or Carie and I went on our Starbucks dates. Those green straws and white coffee cups remind me of friends, and home. I can order a latte here in Bend and remember my favorite U-Mall Starbucks back in Davis and pretend that I'm going to hang out with some of my closest friends.

So all in all, I love Starbucks for it's reliability, consistency and most of all for the memories it triggers. Even if it is "average" coffee :)