From the Floor to Fulfillment
October 7, 2024
Writer: Tyler Peterson
Editor: Chloe Robinson
It’s 4:57 p.m. on a Saturday. UT’s first home game. The sound of bartenders pouring endless espresso martinis, cooks shuffling between grills, and tickets firing in the window roar through the back of the house. The restaurant is packed—every table seated, every barstool occupied, and the patio alive with the hum of conversations competing with the clinking of silverware and glasses. I can feel the tension rising, a rush creeping in just under the surface. We all know it’s coming, the chaos, and yet, there’s something comforting about it, something familiar. This is the part of the shift that used to terrify me, the part where stress used to tighten its grip. But somehow, somewhere along the way, this chaos stopped feeling like something I needed to survive and started feeling like something I thrived in– the rush brought confidence, happiness, and camaraderie.
As the rush begins to come in full swing, so does the adrenaline. Out on the floor, I’m juggling a mental checklist that seems to grow by the second. Table 23 needs refills, the table for the party of 16 needs to be set, 3 to-go orders are awaiting packing, and the phone is ringing off the hook. Each frantic moment becomes an opportunity to showcase my skills—balancing trays, running tickets, and navigating the bustling floor with a newfound grace. There’s a unique rhythm to the chaos, like a well-choreographed dance that I’ve come to master. With each successful hand-off and satisfied customer, I feel a growing sense of accomplishment wash over me. In those hectic hours, I transform from an anxious college student just wanting to afford groceries into a skilled worker taking pride in my capabilities while still offering genuine hospitality. The chaos no longer feels daunting; instead, it becomes a testament to my strength and resilience. As I sit down for the first time all day, the ache in my body finally revealing itself, I have an unexplainable feeling of confidence. To know I can handle so many tasks at once and bear them with a smile and unmatched timeliness, fills me with unequivocal pride. Each shift has become a building block, reinforcing my belief that I can face any challenge head-on, emerging not only unscathed but stronger and more confident than before.
Amidst the whirlwind of tickets and the clamor of voices, I not only discovered my strength, but also that shared stress can forge incredible connections. I have made some of my greatest friends through slammed nights and slow mornings. There’s something about being in it together that cultivates a sense of connection and belonging. Taking a moment during the heat of things to dance in the service station when we hear Valerie over the speakers, or fix our lip liner in the bathroom while discussing our ‘night befores,’ we all seem to get each other.
As another shift comes to an end, I realize what used to feel like an insurmountable mayhem now feels like second nature, a challenge I’ve grown to embrace. The restaurant hums back to a quieter rhythm, but the lessons linger. It’s not just about surviving the busiest nights anymore; it’s about thriving in them, finding confidence in the frenzy, and knowing that no matter how high the tickets pile or how many things demand my attention, I’ve got it covered. And in the end, it’s more than just a job. It’s the friendships built over shared stress, the resilience I’ve discovered within myself, and the satisfaction of knowing that I can handle whatever comes my way—with grace, with humor, and with a little dance in the service station.
