< by Jill >

I woke up one morning in early December 2010 with red, puffy eyes and a halo of crumpled tissues. I scooted to the side of my bed, snagged the corner of my laptop, and dragged it into my comforter-nest. From a supine position, with the computer screen lowered down in a tight V, I sorted through my inbox.

I combed through many e-mails — a Gap promo, a J.Crew teaser, a Netflix plea — but they lost my attention the moment I saw this one: Apply to be a Staff Writer at Groupon!

Recently, I had decided to leave my position as a second-grade teacher (hence the puffy eyes and tissues). Since it was the midpoint in the school year, I had zero job prospects.

So there it was. Out loud, I replied, “Okay.” And then I started preparing writing samples of daily deals. Several weeks later I got the job.

When I started my new role on February 14, 2011, I found myself in a small, windowless room with blaze-orange walls. It was like living inside a convict’s jumpsuit. I shared the space with almost four women — one of them lasted only minutes in “the cave” before requesting a new assignment.

I can’t count the number of times, in those early days, that I asked myself, “WHAT HAVE I DONE?” But two years later, I know the answer and I wouldn’t change the thing.

I gained two of the best friends a girl could ask for: Jorie, who lights up a room (yes, even a blaze-orange room) with her joie de vivre, and Anna, who teaches me how to laugh and live without restraint. And I have since added dozens more. I’m sure the future will be shaped by these great people, and I’m blessed to work with them every day.

Happy Grouponiversary!