Last year on Valentine’s Day, I went to lunch at the Potbelly near my office.  I sat at a table that positioned the left side of my body against a wall so I could focus on my lunch and whatever crap I was looking at online while gazing out a window and thinking about my to-do list.  I was mid meal when two guys in the IT department I manage walked in and asked to sit with me - partly because all tabled were taken and partly because they felt like they had to sit with the boss.

As we exited, an older couple stopped us to thank the IT guys for sitting with me on Valentine’s Day - “no pretty lady should eat alone!”  In fact, they were just about to call their son and ask him to join me in eating a TKY with extra tomatoes and peppers.  The exchange left me equally flattered and horrified.  And because IT guys are socially awkward, both chimed in - too quickly and loudly for my liking - that the only reason they sat with me was the fact that I’m the boss.  

This morning I received an e-mail from the same two IT guys inviting me for our anniversary lunch at Potbelly.  I’m sure they’re looking for the boss to pay, but it is a sweet gesture and I’ll take it.