Next week will be my last week at the Record, and I admit I am sad.

Before I leave I want to thank the Record staff and all of the citizens of Madison County.

Four months ago I moved to Madison County without knowing a single person, and within 48 hours of moving into my first studio apartment the county was hit by a blizzard that forced life to a stand still for days.

I am originally from Birmingham and spent four years at Auburn, so I am in no way accustomed to snow of any kind.

I spent the next four days in cooped up in a panic, mostly that I’d lose power and miss my Tigers going to the National Championship, but also that I had made a really bad decision by accepting an internship where I knew absolutely no one.

When I finally arrived at work I was asked to create an editorial plan about what I wanted to cover.

I couldn’t find Kroger, so needless to say I had no idea what was newsworthy in Madison County.

My coworkers were the sweetest strangers I have ever met. Within days they became my friends, and now four months later I feel like I’m leaving a little family.

The community of this great county also made me feel right at home. I want to thank the citizens of Madison County for the warmth they have shown me.

Everyone from high school sports coaches to disc golf legends has been patient with me while I charted new waters and got my first dose of experience in the “real” world.

During my time at the Record, I have covered everything from Joan Rivers to the Junior League to the Madison Station Historical Preservation Society, and I have loved them all.

I have had the opportunity to attend high school plays, the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Fashion Week mixers and a variety of chamber luncheons and addresses.

There are activities across Madison County that cater to all types of ethnicities, interests and ages, and I have found myself compiling a laundry list of organizations I’d like to get involved with.

We are so blessed to have a plethora of activities for citizens to participate in, and for those of you not already involved in one of them I strongly recommend it. It has been an honor and a privilege to cover your great county, and Madison will always hold a very special place in my heart.