Three semesters has felt like a lifetime. To the restaurants I constantly ordered from, to the sleep I lost, to the tears I shed, to the homework I turned in late, to the friends I made: thank you for the memories.

Alexa Torrens: I did my first read with you. I walked through the house for the first time with you. I wrote my first column under your editorship. I got my first in-house position during your tenure as ME. And after I got that job, you were the first person I asked for advice. Thank you for giving it to me straight and offering logic and reason when I needed to hear it.

Kathryn: Ahhh I’m so lucky to have worked with you. Literally everything I know about editing and just surviving the Op porch came from you. If I’m even a little bit like you — a no-bullsh*t person who is great at stealing free food — I’ll call that a major win. You were my boss and mentor for like three months but now you’re my friend for life. Oh and Op was poppin because of you.

Alexa Díaz: I’m forever grateful for the confidence you had in me. It’s weird to think that you sorta knew what I was meant to do here before I did. Thank you for always being there for me whenever I needed advice. Thank you for helping me through tough situations. Thank you for being the strong, independent POC role model I desperately needed. I wouldn’t have gotten through certain things without your constant support and wisdom. You told me kindness will take people far and I hope you know your kindness has meant the world to me. Your grace and intelligence inspires me.

Sam Fortier: That dang sports room was intimidated af but your smiley face made it less so. Let’s catch up with boba and a show. #LionKingSquad

Stacy: I think you’re fearless. Having conversations with you about what it’s like to be a POC in this close-circled industry made me feel so valid. I’m proud of you and I’ll be looking out for your byline in The Atlantic or whatever other iconic publication you’re writing for.

Aro: Yo lets prove every Desi auntie and uncle wrong about what they think we should be doing with our lives. Keep chuggin.

Dan: Thanks for being a damn good photographer. The lens (haha get it) through which you see storytelling is admirable. Thanks for challenging us to be better. Thanks for hangin out with a bunch of ridiculous children and laughing along with us like there was no difference. Thanks for being you.

Michael Sessa: Op is in great hands. All I ask is that you never kill You Op to Know. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do with the best section in house 🙂

Kaci Waz: You’re a f*cking legend. I wish you the absolute best in everything you do.  I can’t wait for us to have a movie marathon, coffees in hand, while wearing the most ridiculous Christmas sweaters. This isn’t a goodbye; it’s a see you later. Oh and please consider coming back to The D.O. and a photographer.

Ali: Boy oh boy you’re such an impressive human being. I had such big shoes to fill when I became ME. You are such a talented and fun leader and I learned so much from you. You made me feel like I could do the job and for that I’m thankful.

Sarah Allam: Please always invite me to any art show you ever have. I will support you whether you’re next door or a hundreds miles away. I can’t really wrap my head around exactly how talented you are. Not only do you just whip up breathtaking illustrations but the thought and inclusivity through which you draw them is astounding.

Andy: I fully believe The D.O. will never be the same without you. Thanks for being kind and dancing harder than anyone I’ve ever known.

Haley: Dear sweet Haley, you’ve hit the ground running and I can’t wait to see what you’ll do in your time as editor-in-chief. If your staff is ever annoying or someone quits, know I’m just a phone call away.

Catherine: My Texas gal. We never talked until you sent me a message over the summer. I was nervous to work in house because all the people I knew had graduated. You said “Can’t wait to meet you :)” and I wasn’t really nervous anymore. I know you’re going to great things as Managing Editor. Throw down the hammer girlfriend.

KJ: I think our friendship started with us randomly messaging each other when we did a cool thing. You wrote that one story and then I got that one job. Then suddenly we were ordering Beer Belly like every other day. Don’t let this go to your head (haha I kid) but… I think you’re an incredible writer with a huge heart. Thanks for the fries, friend.

Jordan: I always thought you were this really good and intimidating reporter. But little did I know you’re also just a softie with a Disney obsession. Thanks for staying up all night with me in Bird library that one time. Thanks for walking around D.C. with me that other time. I’m super glad we became friends. I’ll miss you very much but this is definitely not the end.

Michael: Wow what a whirlwind it has been. You’re the last person I thought I would’ve cried and laughed in front of but yeah that happened. And I think we’re great friends because of it. Maybe that’s dramatic but whatever. I’ve seen you grow with each challenge we’ve faced this semester. I’m confident in saying your integrity is something that’s hard pressed to find. I respect the hell out of you. Thanks for listening.

Kelsey: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, your eloquence takes my breath away. Even though we just met this year, I’ve wanted to be friends with you since I was just an assistant who edited your columns. You have a beautiful soul. Thank you for ranting about professors with me and for being so woke (in a real un-sensationalized way). Thanks for seeing through the bullsh*t ignorance we had to sit through in class and for being an ally to me and everyone else.

Allison: Rehiring you was a no brainer. I knew you’d be a great coworker but I also knew we’d be great friends. The Op porch was so fun with you. I love talking sh*t and hearing about all your drama. I’m gonna miss you a lot, but alas we’ll talk soon. <3

Molly: I’ll miss your infectious laugh and your weird dance moves. You have such a bright future it’s insane. Your job is one of the hardest but you handled it brilliantly and I’ll always remember you as the badass photographer who crushed any obstacle that came your way. I am honored to have known you. I’m honored to have called you my friend.

Kennedy: I’m in awe of your confidence. You’re the nicest, most loveable, mean person I know. And I mean that in the best way. I’ve never met someone who was so unapologetically themselves. You’re strong. You’re talented. And you’re such a joy to be around. Words cannot describe how thankful I am that we road tripped to NYC that one time and became the best of friends. This isn’t the end for us. Absolutely f*cking not.

Talia: Hey lady. I’m gonna miss you so frickin much. Who the heck am I gonna get boba with? I guess I’ll just have to comeback to Syracuse every Wednesday. We can’t not be regulars anymore, right? You’re so sweet and considerate I’ve loved getting to know you. Please know that you can call me any day, any time. If you ever need to talk, cry or rant about the staff I will be there. I will never not have time for you. I know you are finally in the job you were destined for and I can’t wait to see you thrive. Take some risks and maybe even use purple in the paper!! Your creative eye is one that I will always admire. Love you endlessly my girl.

Maeve: Please never underestimate your worth. You are incredibly talented and our editorial team needed someone like you. I needed someone like you. In a room filled with loud voices, you always listened when I spoke. Not sure if you ever noticed that but I did. Thank you. I think your strength and heart bleed into everything you do. You always make sure you’re heard and that’s something I’ve always admired about you. If I ever need someone to make me a bot, you better believe I’ll be coming to you first. Oh and I’m still waiting on that list of documentaries we have to watch together.

Sandhya: We started in-house at the same time and I’m so thankful for that. Thanks for being my Indian sister in and outside of this house. Navigating this industry is a different sort of thing for us and I’m so glad I had you to share this experience with. Your kind and fun heart deserves the world. Here’s to more memories and spontaneous dates galavanting around the city.

Bridg: Thank you for driving me home every night. Thank you for taking me and Sam to McDonalds and then sitting in the parking lot with us until an ungodly hour. I love how we can just talk for hours or sit in silence while listening to music. I will forever miss our sad boi hours. As Sam would famously say, you’re so sharp. There were so many instances where we thought, “What would Bridg think?” We relied on you as much as we relied on each other. And besides the fact that you’re maybe the most impressive designer and ideas machine I’ve ever seen, you’re also the most warm and protective friend to all of us. I love you so damn much.

Sam: Remember when we watched the Avengers movies for like 7 hours? Remember when we were at the house till 5 a.m.? Remember when I almost missed that board meeting… twice….? Remember when all that crazy f*cked up sh*t happened and we had to deal with it day after day? You were the best partner in all of this. You’re one of my absolute best friends. Thank you for the laughs, late-night rants, and jamming sessions. Thank you for listening to Khalid and watching The Office with me. Thank you for introducing me to Popeyes. I have so much more to thank you for. But in the words that I have left, I just want to say I think the world of you. I can’t wait to read your stories. Even though you’d probably rather sleep in a car wearing your sunglasses in the middle of nowhere, please know you’re always welcome wherever I end up. So come hang my dude. I know the next time we do hang, whether that’s tomorrow or in ten years, we’ll be able to blast Bad Liar and stare at the wall like nothing has changed. I’ll always have your back.

Published on April 29, 2019 at 5:05 am