A Fond Farewell

Today is my last day at the company for which I’ve worked the past nine years.  So much in my life has changed during that time, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect, and honor the amazing place which has been a home for those nine years.

First, I should mention that I am terrible at goodbyes. I completely fall apart, because in that moment of realizing I am saying goodbye, all the wonderful memories flood my brain, and I just think about how much I’m going to miss someone, and how much there is to say, and how I can’t say it all in just a couple minutes.

I expect today will be a roller coaster. As sad as I am about leaving, I am also very excited about my new position at SQLskills; completely opposite emotions. Sometimes it is overwhelming.

I had many thoughts about how to thank everyone.  I have a lot of people to thank, and so much for which to be thankful.  I want my colleagues and friends to know how much they are valued, and the traditional goodbye email didn’t quite seem like enough.  I don’t think I can ever truly put it all into words…

I met with my VP on Wednesday, to catch up and say goodbye. He was the only person that interviewed me all those years ago, after a quick chat with someone from HR.  The company was one fifth the size of what is now.  When I interviewed he asked me where I saw myself in five years.  I answered, “Development.”  He hired me anyway 🙂

I have had three managers in those nine years, and I am thankful to each for the unwavering support and the countless opportunities provided.  All three pushed me to get better, backed my every decision, and were right there if I stumbled.  I hope that at some point in every person’s career, they have a management team that empowers them to make decisions, and then stands behind those decisions, no matter what.  I have had that management team, and I am grateful and appreciative for their belief in me.

I have worked with amazing people here; people who inspired me every day and challenged me to become the best that I can.  My colleagues have made me laugh until I cried, and have picked me up when I needed a lift.  Special thanks to those who offered encouragement when I felt lost, and whose belief in me never wavered.  And thank you to those who worked through the toughest customer issues, on little sleep and a lot of stress.  In the end, we sorted it out.

I also want to take a minute to send out a huge thank you to my husband, Nick.  Our “company”, if you will, is the Stellato family.  My family and friends are a great source of inspiration and comfort for me, but Nick is the one who has been there every day; the one who has seen the very best and the very worst.  And he just rolls with it.  Thank you, Nick, for supporting me.  Thank you for saying, when I called to tell you that I won the SQLCruise contest, “Of course you did.”  Thank you for every time you’ve said, “I got it” when I told about my next trip for work, or for a SQLSaturday, or the PASS Summit.  And thank you for being a great dad to our kids.  I love our life.

Finally, this is not goodbye, this is see you later.  I’m not moving, and since I will be working from home, I plan to have lunch out in the “real world” once a week.  Let me know if you want to meet up.  To everyone who’s been a part of the adventure these past nine years, thank you for what you’ve taught me, for your patience, for your humor, for your trust and for your respect.  I wish you all the best on this journey of life.

13 Responses to A Fond Farewell
  1. Peter Shire
    July 27, 2012 | 12:05 pm

    Enjoy this day Erin with the thought that your friends are equally happy and proud to witness your growth and success. Regular DBA – speaker – then MVP – then a member of SQLskills. Whew – Amazing! I just hope you’re also planning for someday when you come and present to the Charlotte SQLPASS Chapter. The membership here would be thrilled to see you.

    • Erin Stellato
      July 27, 2012 | 12:13 pm

      Such warm words, thank you Peter. And I would be honored to present for the Charlotte chapter at some point! We will find a time 🙂

      Erin

  2. Marlon Ribunal
    July 27, 2012 | 1:18 pm

    Congratulations to you and SQLskills! I also hope you’d visit us here in SoCal someday!

  3. Carisa
    July 27, 2012 | 2:30 pm

    I want to meet up for lunch. Often.

  4. Gabe Russo
    July 27, 2012 | 2:59 pm

    Erin,
    Whether you know it or not, you have inspired me to be better than I am. Thank you for the guidance you have provided and the friendship that you have shared.

    I am thankful for the time we worked together.

    Please remember, “Online index operations are not always rainbows and unicorns.” 🙂

    • Erin Stellato
      August 1, 2012 | 7:44 am

      Thank you, Gabe. I am glad that we finally had the chance to work together, and you taught me a lot as well! I will miss seeing you and the rest of the team every day, but I can always stop by for lunch!

      E

  5. Shyam Viking
    July 30, 2012 | 12:32 am

    All the best on your new assignment.

  6. Justin Fandl
    July 30, 2012 | 10:03 am

    Erin it’s been a pleasure knowing you and attending your classes at Hyland (they were always my favorite at TechQuest). I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!

    • Erin Stellato
      August 1, 2012 | 7:42 am

      Thanks Justin, best of luck to you as well!

  7. Dukagjin Maloku
    August 3, 2012 | 3:14 am

    Congrats on your new career journey with SQLSkills!
    All the best!
    @DugiDBA

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