Dear Columbus,

I just wanted to tell you that I think about you every day. When I came to you years ago as a bright-eyed, eager young adult, you welcomed me in with open arms. I was so determined to shatter every pre-conceived notion, every failure, every horrible part of my past and replace each terrible memory with something new. Something hopeful, something I could be proud of. More than four years later, a Cum Laude degree hangs on my wall in the most beautiful frame, and frames of my press passes from some of the most wonderful days of my life are across from it. Columbus, I can’t help but want to cry whenever I think about you, because I’ll forever know you as the city where all of my dreams came true. I did things I never even knew I was capable of. I’m proud of every last thing I accomplished while I was with you, and your warmth and love helped to make it all possible. It’s amazing to think who I was when I arrived and who I was when I left. There are times I miss little things about you… walking through the oval at night, brushing the snow off of my car, unwinding at the Stube on the weekends, walking across the crowded parking lot to call Saturday’s game, drinking a Columbus Pale Ale on a friend’s porch at 4:00 AM, being on a first-name basis with the chef at the sushi restaurant, the view of your skyline from 315, the feeling of coming into my apartment after a long day of classes… the list goes on. But at the same time, I’m happy to have them where they are. Perfectly stuck in time. Because if I ever doubt myself, I look back at my time with you, and am instantly proud. You changed my life, forever, and I can never, ever thank you enough for it.

- <3