A hero is someone who does extraordinary things, is looked upon by others as an individual with incredible achievements and noble qualities. While many would only look to athletes, entertainers, politicians and wealthy people with deep pockets, I would like to take a look at someone who has done their duty and cheerfully given back to the city they live and work in.

All of us have basic needs. We all need shelter, a way to learn and eventually provide for ourselves, but at the very basis of our existence, we need food; substance that will sustain our bodies. All of us need to head to the grocery store at least once a week and stock up on the essential nutrition needed for daily life.

Adrian Fuller is a checker and has worked in the floral department at Safeway in our community of Sammamish for over 30 years. Remember when Sammamish was split in two between Issaquah and Redmond, had a two-lane road and stop signs on 228th? Adrian does. She is hard to miss at Safeway. She has long blonde hair that she curls and a smile that is contagious. She has been a single mom for many years, and day in and day out punched her time card at Safeway, learning all the aspects of the business to the point where she could do just about anything there. I have lived in this community for about 23 years now, and she has been at Safeway the entire time.

It is rare to stay committed to a business for 30 years in this day and age. It is rare to stay at a large corporation and work hard on the front lines to provide a needed service for the city we all call home. There is a lot of responsibility involved in raising a daughter as a single mother. Long hours to pay the bills, then coming home to clean, nurture, feed and prepare the necessary support for her own daughter.

When we decide who is a true hero in our community, I don’t think I could look past Adrian in her diligence and perseverance to make a better world for all of us. Every time I went to the checkstand, I knew she would know all the ins and outs. She has been a dedicated employee for so long, she is aware of all the needs of the store. If there is a glitch in the system, she knows about it and knows how to make it work and keep the customers cared for.

She had a huge smile on her face and looked like she cared about her job and doing it well. Isn’t that what a hero is? Making life extraordinary? Ordinary life can look mundane, but doing a job well, taking it seriously, going out of her way to provide just the right floral needs is a way to go above and beyond to fill the desires and needs of Sammamish. Really, she did it. After 30 years of dedicated service, she is retiring. No longer will we see her curled long blonde locks, and know that she can come up with just the right touch for your graduation, birthday or anniversary gift.

Others will step into the role and punch the time card, but will they stay for 30 years and provide a stable living environment for her family?

Maybe, but Adrian did, and I think this hero deserves to be recognized.

Good luck, Adrian, as you move on, and know that you are accomplished and you are appreciated.

Amy McOmber is a 23-year resident of Sammamish.