At 50, I thought my career was behind me. Losing my husband left me feeling adrift, but I decided to revive my psychology degree and seek a fresh start. When I landed an internship at a fast-paced IT startup, I was both excited and nervous—especially with a young boss, Liam, who was all about profits and results.

In our first meeting, Liam barely acknowledged me and brushed off my ideas about team connections. I left feeling deflated, questioning if I was too old for this. So, I called my best friend, Jake, who encouraged me to leverage my emotional support program from my thesis as a team-building event.

The next day, I pitched the idea to Liam, who reluctantly agreed. However, my colleague Lora, who had been eavesdropping, offered to handle the logistics. I sensed something off but accepted her help.

On the day of the event, I arrived at the venue to find it empty. Panic set in when I called Liam, only to learn everyone was at a different location that Lora had set without my knowledge. Realizing I’d been set up, I called Jake for help, and he quickly rallied the team to my home.

With tables set and lanterns lit, the atmosphere transformed into a cozy haven. As everyone began to relax and connect, I saw Liam opening up, realizing the value of what I was trying to achieve.

Later, as the evening wound down, Lora provocatively waved Liam’s important documents in front of me, leading to a confrontation that left me feeling crushed and misunderstood. But Jake encouraged me to hold my head high.

The next day, Lora approached me, confessing her jealousy and admitting she had sabotaged the event. To my surprise, Liam backed her up, acknowledging the positive impact of the evening in my garden. He offered me the role of the company’s emotional recovery coach—a dream come true.

Finally, Liam invited the team to celebrate their success with pizza, establishing a new tradition. I felt a renewed sense of purpose, ready to help others find their strength and connections.