I was 25 years old…

Levi and I, the dynamic duo.

A single mother to a one year old son. I loved my son, Levi, more than anything or anyone ever. We had been through some incredibly hard times in his short life. But we were a team, a duo. We kept each other alive.

I was working as a bartender for a chain restaurant, I enjoyed the work, made great money, but the hours were difficult for a single parent. Although my babysitters were great, they were raising my son. I had to make a move.

I heard of a bartender position at a restaurant called “Hartley’s”. It was a fine dining establishment. A few of my regular customers had uttered the name “Hartley’s”, it was a special place to all who had been lucky enough to enter it’s hallowed doors.

The name “Hartley’s” was said with reverence. Not only by the clientel, but by others in the service industry. One girl heard from another girl who knew someone who worked at Hartley’s, LOL, not only was the job incredible-a server could make a $100 tip from just one table. As a single parent, this sounded like manna falling from heaven.

During my long hospitality career I had tended bar or served tens of thousands of clientele. Working in California nightclubs, pool halls, chain restaurants, family owned establishments, but never fine dining.

Dressing to the nines…

Owner, Sue McLeod, in pink-surrounded by staff, Rachele, Chari, Denise, Kenny and me.

I was extremely nervous, but I thought of my son, and walked right through those hallowed doors,  applingfor the job. I was scared to death. This was a make or break situation. My son and I needed better. I was all that he had, and he was all that I had.

I knew no one when I walked in, sat down with the owner, Sue McLeod, and left not only with the job, but unbeknownst to me, a new family.

Over the next 16.5 years…

Hartley McLeod Sr. the patriarch and me.

I learned so much. About fine dining. Myself. And life.

I met the movers and the shakers of our area, whom over the years became great friends, business partners in many ventures, the Realtor that helped us buy our first house, the car dealership owner that helped me buy a new car at a great price, the lawyers that stood beside me when I needed them, aunts and uncles to my son, Police officers who came to my rescue multiple times, a dating pool of men that not only treated me with respect-but treated me like a lady.

But most importantly, they were my family.

The McLeod clan took me in, and watched over me, they still do. When I started working there, I needed to find a new babysitter, Sue McLeod came to the rescue. She had me bring Levi to work with me, and she took him home with her, only 100 feet away. Or Pam McLeod, another owner, would take him to her home, a block or two from the restaurant. Not only was it convenient, they made my son their family too.

Over the years…

Hubby and I when we started dating.

Many opportunities came my way, because I walked through those hallowed doors. Not only did the owners consider me family, the staff did too. I count them as some of my dearest friends, although I do not see them often, I watch them on Facebook, cheer them on through life’s up and downs, as they do me.

Not only did I gain a second family, I learned, grew, matured. I have been offered many opportunities because I was a part of this special place. One of the positions I was offered put me in the right place at the right time, to meet my husband. Thank God for Hartley’s.

The best decision that I ever made…

Was to put on my “big girl panties” and walk through those hallowed doors. It opened up a whole new world. And I am eternally grateful.