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It was August of last summer, my first in D.C. I was nearing the end of my internship and had a couple of weeks left in the city. More importantly, it was also lunchtime.

I entered the Department of Energy cafeteria building as I did a few times a week, and filled my tray at the hot buffet (note: if you have a federal badge, you can enter any federal government cafeteria). Then I paid for my food, walked towards an empty table, and pulled out a seat.

But before I could sit down, I did a double take. Peered across the room at a Korean cafeteria employee, sitting alone at a table, quietly enjoying her midday meal. I’d seen her on several occasions when she’d punch in my order at the cash register, and we’d always exchange a brief but cordial “hi.” I stood awkwardly for a moment, one hand clutching my tray, the other resting on the edge of my chair. Then I shoved my seat back towards the table and headed towards her.

“Hi,” I said. “Can I join you?”

I forget what her Korean name is, but she told me to call her Sunny, and that’s what I’ll remember her by. I asked her how she was doing, how her day was. She mentioned that she was new to her job in the cafeteria but enjoyed the environment. Her co-workers were nice. She was from Korea, was here in America because of her husband’s job in the area. She described her son, a bright teenager who enjoyed his studies but didn’t get out much.

“He doesn’t have a lot of friends; he stays at home a lot. I can introduce him to you!” Her eyes brightened.

I smiled but shook my head no, then quickly changed the subject.

I’ll be honest in saying I don’t remember much of my conversation with Sunny, but I do remember having a good time talking to her, asking her questions about her day and her life, heartened by how grateful she seemed for the company I provided her. And it will stand as one of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had with any individual.

A couple days later, my flight approaching rapidly, I found Sunny again at a table and sat down with her. I told her I was leaving for Los Angeles soon, my heart surprisingly heavy considering I’d only really met her very recently. 

“I’ll be back next year,” I said, having decided to come back the following year for another D.C. internship. “Will I see you here?”

“Yes, yes, of course—I’ll be in here!”

So I left for Los Angeles remembering to visit her upon my return to D.C., penciling it into my notebook, typing it into my digital to-do list. And as you may know, I did come back to D.C. this past summer, having secured another internship in the area. But I didn’t have time, during the first several weeks, to visit the Energy cafeteria. It was always in the back of my head, though, and I resolved to visit at least once before I left—say a quick hello to Sunny.

When I managed to finally swing by the cafeteria for a quick lunch during my seventh week in D.C., I entered the familiar dining area and glanced around. Didn’t spot her. Paid for my food and sat down, deciding that she probably didn’t work that day. I came back again a following week only to, for some reason, fail to spot her in the building. Puzzled, I carried my tray to the cashier, who gave me a friendly “Hi” that I gladly reciprocated. Then I asked her if she knew of an employee named Sunny, and whether she had seen Sunny around.

“Oh! I remember Sunny; she was so nice and friendly! She went back to Korea with her husband. He moved back for his job.” And I smiled politely and thanked her, paid for my food, and then walked to an empty table, doing a double-take towards another empty table across the room.

Sunny, I hope you’re happy wherever you are. Thank you.