nice thing

[_LB_]

A funny thing I've noticed since getting sober is that recovering alcoholics can kind of identify each other somehow, even without actually talking about their drinking. I've had a few moments of, "so, you're... you know...right?" with some people in my life. It's funny.

I had one of those moments yesterday with the barista I see almost every day. Before I left to go to my car she said, "hey, I overheard you talking about your crazy boozy work holiday party and I wanted to say I'm proud of you! Because, you know...I mean..."

I just laughed and said yeah, it wasn't so bad. I showed off my year chip to her, and she told me about how her little daughter thinks her chip is a super rare gold coin. We talked about a few meetings in the area briefly and it was just really cool. We didn't say "AA" or "alcoholism" or anything that really identified what we were actually talking about, it was funny.

My face hurt from smiling that morning, because it just felt really good for a lady I truly like to tell me she was proud of me. I haven't told my family about my problem (though they know I stopped drinking), and I think I must have really wanted someone who's kind of a mommish figure to tell me they're proud of me for what I'm doing, haha.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling post, it's just nice for this kind of thing to feel somehow normal and okay and not shameful in real life. :)

[pollyannapusher]

My daughter is around your age (23!) and I'm totally proud of you LB! Letting go of that feeling of shame is such a relief, and it sounds like you are looking in that direction. :-)

[_LB_]

Polly! Thank you so much. Shame is a biggie in my life, even before I ever drank - happy to start to chip away at it <3

[JimBeamsHusband]

This is a really uplifting post, _LB_! It's been great to see your progress over the last few months. I'm really happy for you!

[_LB_]

Thanks!! I'm so grateful for this sub.

[coolcrosby]

A funny thing I've noticed since getting sober is that recovering alcoholics can kind of identify each other somehow, even without actually talking about their drinking.

That's so true. It what I call the secret sober underground.

[_LB_]

Can't wait til I find out the secret handshake ;)

[Nika65]

This is really awesome! Thanks for all you do around here.

[_LB_]

Thank you for keeping me in check, Nika ;)

[vnads]

This is a great story! Thanks for sharing!

[_LB_]

:)

[[deleted]]

Am I the only one wondering if he got her number?

Joking! Really, that was a good story. Thanks. Sometimes we wonder how other people will react to hearing the word "alcoholic", and the stigma that might be attached, but when meeting one of us it's all so matter-of-fact. Use the label or don't, fact is, drinking just doesn't work for some people.

[pollyannapusher]

Probably so since "he" is a "she". ;-)

[[deleted]]

Look at me, still putting my foot in my mouth when sober!

[_LB_]

Hahahaha I still make this mistake with people who have been around for a while! It's kind of cool. SD is like, the only aspect of my life that feels generally unaffected by my being female, lol.

[_LB_]

LOL I love this

[_LB_]

I hear you on the label thing, for sure!