I am personally terrible at telling people what they mean to me. This is partly because I'm also terrible at receiving personal praise, partly because there's a not-that-small part of me that lives in certainty of eventual disappointment if I commit too hard, so I tend not to.

None of that is a good excuse. I'm working on it.

There's one person here without whom I would almost certainly not be part of the PPC anymore. We've been through just about everything together, and even though we've disagreed, argued, and occasionally hurt each other's feelings, we always seem to pull together and support each other when it matters the most—and though I say "we," I'm sure you're better at it than I am.

You're one of my best friends. Maybe even the longest-standing one, too. I admire your idealism, your energy, and your continual efforts to make the Board a better place. For the times you've supported me, and for the times you've challenged me, thank you. You really are a hero.

Everyone probably knows who I'm talking about. And if they don't, they should.

I'm not letting nerves scare me out of posting this.

~Neshomeh

I almost wasn't going to post. But then AC posted, and his formatting gave me some idea of how to pull this off. So... Uh. Thanks, AC. I haven't talked to you much, but you seem like a cool guy.

The thing is, through some strange twist of fate, I know a lot of awesome people. All of whom frequent the board, and will thus read this. So, like AC, I'm not going to name people. But I think everyone will know who they are. It's one paragraph per person, so... yeah:

You were the first person here who really seemed willing to be friends with me here. You introduced me to so many people who, like yourself, I'm proud to call friends. You're an amazing person, even though you doubt it. Without you, it's doubtful I'd even still be here.

On a dark day, you told me one of the best things anyone's ever said to me. You said, "welcome home, kid." That phrase has stuck with me ever since.

And you... you're a big part of why I almost didn't write this: Because I couldn't figure out how to say what I think of you without sounding like an idiot. You are astonishingly kind, incredibly caring, and you helped me when nobody else could, and when I needed it the most. You are nothing short of an inspiration, and I still am amazed you could forgive me. Thank you.

Thank you, brother. To you, I need not say more.

That's only some of the amazing people I've seen. Thanks everyone, for being awesome.

I can't say I know a whole lot of really, really awesome people like Quincy does, but there is definitely one person that comes to mind as someone who's saved my world. He's this one guy who's the best person I know. He is 100% a hero who has helped me up more times than I can count, and I can only hope to be like him one day. He's unbelievably selfless, heart-meltingly kind, and just... so, so caring. He's never judged me about anything I've done, and I can't imagine he ever will; he's the most supportive person I've ever met. He can brighten up my day with just a few words and one of his funny and random jokes. I'm not ashamed to say that I have absolutely no idea what I'd do without him.

Thank you for saving me; I owe you everything. If you're reading this and you're the guy I'm talking about, you know who you are and you know there isn't anyone else I'd say these things about.