A Toast to Kicking Caffeine

When did we all start loving coffee? No, not loving -- too soft a word. When did our coffee obsession begin?

Didn't coffee used to be gross when we were little? Am I the only one who would sneak sips from my parents' mugs, only to find the hot beverage was NOT chocolate-flavored, as I had hoped, but was, in fact, very bitter coffee?

I guess at some age, the majority of us have a life-changing moment and decide coffee is not revolting, is quite delicious and is the only way to properly begin a day. I think I speak for myself and northwest Houston teens in the late nineties when I say this moment was exactly when Starbucks (coffee only to celebrities and very important businessmen at airports, at the time), parachuted from coolness heaven and landed at the intersection of Louetta and Kuykendahl.

Much like wine, tequila, and five-inch high heels, the end result was worth acquiring the taste. My relationship with coffee began.

Babbling, Whitney, you're babbling.

Anywho, I came across a piece in the Huffington Post the other morning about how to kick a caffeine habit.

Why would I need to kick a caffeine habit? I'm not an addict. In fact, I can prove it.

And you can too.

The article gives a simple test to find out if you are a caffeineaholic.

"How do you know you're addicted?

Simple, when you try to stop, you get a pounding headache -- that can't be healthy."

So, as you might imagine, I decided this morning I would try to see how I did without coffee. Did I have a headache? Nope, sure didn't.

...because I couldn't even survive without coffee long enough to wait for a headache to kick in.

I just knew it was time for coffee and I to take a break. And, as with many breakups, I'm here to write a letter to my former best friend.

My Beloved Coffee,

I've adored our time together. Trust me - this is harder for me than it is for you. But, as it turns out, we aren't right for each other. Every time we're together, medical experts tell me you probably make me stressed out and on edge. In fact, they would say the amount of time we've spent together is probably toxic for me.

I need to take some time for myself and seek out some more peaceful friends. As you may have suspected, Green Tea and I do have something special and I need to see where that goes.

But I'll always love you and remember our special times together.

Whitney

P.S. And, Coffee? It's true -- I cheated on you with Diet Dr. Pepper, but it didn't mean anything, I promise.