It's Been Real And It's Been Fun, But This Is Goodbye: EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

Goodbyes are hard.

Saying the word isn't too difficult for me, but that time leading up to leaving is tough.

When I was in high school, I went on a college visit to the University of Kansas with my mom.

I loved it.

Driving back home, my mom asked what I was going to do. I couldn't tell her. I couldn't say, "I'm leaving you."

I broke the news in a not-so-subtle way, by asking for her credit card number so I could fill out my housing application on campus.

Yeah, I'm not good at leaving people I care about.

And yet, that's just what I'm doing now.

Today is my last as Johnston Patch editor.

And Saturday is my last day as a resident of Johnston.

The last month or so has flown by; now it's time to say goodbye and begin
a 1,100-mile journey to Washington D.C.

No, I don't have plans to be a politician, or even work for one.

In fact, I don't really know what I'm going to do, yet.

My boyfriend has a great job. A really great job.

He's been working in D.C. since November, flying home anytime he could.

The time finally came to just take the leap and make the move.

So while I'm excited to start a new adventure, I'm incredibly sad to leave Johnston and my job at Patch.

I may be young, and maybe I don't have as much professional experience as some of my co-workers, but this job was awesome.

Never before have I felt like such a part of the community.

When I launched Johnston Patch in October 2011, I had no idea the attachment I would have to this little-big town.

This site - the good, the bad and the ugly - is my baby. I fought hard to keep Johnston Patch and I pushed to cover the city to your highest standards.

I have met so many incredible people, and I've covered stories I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to be part of. And I've loved - just about- every minute of it.

We've been through a lot, Johnston. From the heartbreaking, dramatic, or the downright funny, there's never a moment without news in Johnston.

And that doesn't look to change anytime soon. I'm disappointed that I won't be around to see the results of the school distirct's bond election in June or the finished Public Safety Building next year.

I'm sure you hear this all the time, but you're truly lucky to live in such a great community.

And I'm proud to have been a part of that community.

Thank you, Johnston for the experience and memories.

So, for now it's goodbye, but I have a feeling we'll be back in a few years.