Establishing friendly relationships with people that we come across every day in and outside of our workplace gives us something to look forward to and enriches our lives.
Such is the case with Will Partain, who retired as mail carrier for Diamond A and other Sonoma Valley neighborhoods on June 27, after more than 30 years — but the bond he created with the Diamond A residents is well beyond the norm.
After hearing that he was retiring, many of the residents were heartbroken, feeling that they were losing not just a good friend, but a beloved family member. Their sadness was mixed with a desire to honor Partain, so they organized a retirement party for him and his wife, Valerie Partain, who retired on the same day after serving as a mail carrier in Sebastopol for more than 30 years.
“I was surprised and honored that they did this and wanted my wife to share it with me,” Partain said.
The party, which took place on July 11 at the Diamond A Recreation Association facilities, was celebrated with food, heartfelt remembrances and plenty of laughs.
