Yesterday I had one of those conversations that just sticks with you.
I was talking with Delfina, who, somehow, has been with Dallas Maids for 20 years. What’s wild is she joined just a couple years after I started the company. Back then, neither of us had any idea what the next two decades would look like.
Fast forward to now… and here we are, comparing gray hairs and wondering how time managed to move both so fast and so quietly at the same time. Delfina was telling me about those years, how she raised her two daughters, supported them, and put both through university. All while working, day in and day out, cleaning homes. No shortcuts, no easy path, just consistency, pride in her work, and a commitment to her family.
And you could hear it in her voice… not just pride, but gratitude. She said she was thankful to have had this job all these years. That one hit me. Because from my side, it’s the other way around. I’m the one who’s so terrbily grateful.
She built a life for her daughters through honest work. And I can already picture those daughters years from now telling their own kids about their mom, how she showed up every day, did the hard work of cleanign homes, and made sure they had every opportunity.
(Photo of Delfina and her daughter, 2007)
Also, apparently one of Delfina’s grandkids doesn’t believe anyone could work at the same job for 20 years. Fair. I barely believe it myself sometimes. So she asked me for a certificate to prove it, which I am very happy to oblige. Not every day you get to officially confirm that yes, someone really did stick it out with the same company for two decades.
And of course, there’s also the 20-year gold anniversary ring coming her way (We’ve only had the chance to do 10 years and 15 years rings so this’ll be a first). Well earned. Very well earned.
Moments like this remind me what Dallas Maids is really about. It’s not just homes we’re cleaning. It’s lives being built along the way. Families supported. Futures created. And every now and then, we get to pause, look back, and realize just how far we’ve all come.
Delfina, thank you. For the work, the loyalty, the laughs, and yes… for making me feel a little better about my gray hair.
I thought I’d share a little sneak peek of our very first 20-year work anniversary ring, two decades of dedication and loyalty.
Celebrating 20 Years of Dedication and Loyalty – My speech given during the presentation of Delfina’s 20-Year Anniversary Ring and Certificate at Dallas Maids.
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Delfina, today we celebrate something rare: 20 years of dedication, hard work, and loyalty. Though today is about much more than celebrating all those years at Dallas Maids. It’s about celebrating the life you built during those 20 years.
You worked hard, day after day, not only cleaning homes, but raising two daughters, supporting your family, and helping put both of your daughters through university. That is an incredible accomplishment. You built a future for your family through honest work, pride, and sacrifice.
The ring I’m giving you today has two diamonds. One represents dedication, and the other represents loyalty. Both are rare, valuable, and earned over time.
And while you told me you were grateful to have had this job all these years, the truth is, I’m the one who feels grateful. You’ve helped take stress off families, added happiness to our customers’ lives, and helped build this company into what it is today.
So today, on behalf of everyone at Dallas Maids, thank you. Thank you for the work, the loyalty, the laughs, and for reminding all of us what hard work and commitment really look like.
And finally, to your grandkid: yes, this certificate is official proof that someone actually can stay at the same job for 20 years.