Where the aisles know my name!!

 

People say, “ grocery runs ain’t that fancy!” I call bullshit on that!! 

Let’s be honest, you will never expect a grocery store to be your safe space. They are not places you ideally take pictures (unless there is a heart-shaped strawberry, or buy 1 get 1 free beer deal).  

But maybe some days aren’t meant for those cozy cafes or those sunny walk! Some days, it’s just two minutes down run, to a fluorescent-lit store called ALDI, or any store near your home.

I’ve been here since September. This not-so-tiny store under my student accommodation has been a constant — ever-present. Whether I’ve had a day jam-packed, or simply a no-work-lets-rot-in-bed day, I’ll find myself stepping into ALDI. Again and again and again.. 

I think, it’s more than a routine now! A necessity type habit that somehow wrapped itself in comfort!

I’ve always ended up reaching for the same things. 

The same soft chocolate donut that melts in your mouth. (P.S. - try dipping it in hot chocolate, courtesy of my friend, you will transport yourself to heaven!) Because the messiness of the chocolate around your mouth, on the tip of your fingers, a brushed up stain on your night suit what makes it special!!

The same £1.09 brownie, the pack I choose from the back, because the good stuffs are always behind (extra chocochips on it)

Those flakey, chocolate rich croissants I’ve probably bought more than 200 times, and still do me joy dance in my head when I see them sitting fresh on the shelf.

And then those milk chocolate covered digestive biscuits (see healthy choices, of course) — well, they never last more than 4 days in my cupboard.

You would think I would have gotten bored of these! But nah, sometimes there is fun in the known!!

I’ve seen a lot of staff here! But there was this Scottish Security Uncle. Big smiles. He was energy. 

A “you’re back again for chocolate, lass?” grin always. We became besties — the ‘energetic duo’ as he called us! We’d banter for 2 minutes while I walked in, 2 minutes as I was leaving, and for some reason, that short exchange made the day 10x more fun! 

Then came January. He was gone. Transferred what he said!

It felt.. strange. Absurd. Like a known rhythm suddenly forgotten.

But life — just like ALDI — finds a way to re-shelf and restock.

New staff. New security. New smiles. New greeting. New, different but yet the same.

I’ve walked through the stores laughing and arguing with friends after and before meals. I’ve given my attendance just as soon as the store opens. I’ve gone there just before the closing because I was craving de-stress brownies. I’ve gone there alone, with people. I’ve bumped into someone I know, and checked out at the till together, while swapping quick life updates. Each visit is a time capsule. Moments that seem insignificant, but when you look back, you see yourself through homesickness, exam stress, life whirling through your brain, and even heartbreaks you never talk about.

ALDI has seen me in all forms. 

It’s seen me fresh off, jet lagged from the flights.

It’s seen me in my everything’s-gonna-be-good outfits — dress, sneakers, hair tie, tote and a croissant.

It’s seen me in classic jeans and t-shirt, tired from the classes, earphones plugged in.

But most of all?

It’s seen me in my Lion King pyjamas or the consistent Harry Styles graphic t-shirt, with hair messy.

And it never mattered.

I belonged — whether I dressed up like a woman with i-kinda-have-less-than-everything-figured-out outfits or a girl jumping because her fav brownies were in-stock again!

This store became a staple in a constantly ever-changing life. 

And that 2-minute walk down? 

Sometimes, it the best grounding thing you can do when everything is too loud outside!

We always talk about our trips, cafes, or parks. But we don’t talk enough about the grocery stop we make 5 times in a week. Where you don’t even have to dress up. Which, most of the days, isn’t on your itinerary. 

So this is a shoutout to those aisles that know my choices. For the checkout beeps that simply says — you’re okay, at least you’re feeding yourself.

A cheer you feel when you figure out grocery shopping in foreign land — at least I know 1% of what i’m doing in the adult world!

ALDI may not remember me when I leave, but I’ll remember!

I’ll remember the small flakes covered bags on my table.

The spontaneous hype-yourself flowers when you feel down.

The search for your favourite brownie, if it’s in stock.

The not-so-judging your friend for her ice-cream choices.

The tons of tiny-moments that are tied together.

Because sometimes, love is just: a donut, and a smile with chocolate smudged around your lips!