Last night I had to end a long relationship with a dear friend. After many years of intimacy it was finally time to let her go.

I first met her in the summer of 1997. She was there with me almost all the time until around the summer of 1998 and then we didn't see each other much for a few years, save for an occasional out of town trip or two (which were always fun).

Then, in the summer of 2000 I needed her again. After a little searching I found her and she was back in my life. It was as if we were never even away from each other. I always held her close to me in my times of need.

And for the last two years she has been an integral part of my life. Even more so than before. I couldn't have made it this far without her. She was faithful to me just as I was to her. I never looked at another while I was with her. Not even for a moment.

Which is what made last night so hard on me.

Last night I took all my stuff from her and left her with nothing. It wasn't hers to have anyway, she was just holding it for me. I needed it back.

I'm sure I'll still call on her when I go on out of town trips, it would be almost painful not to. She'll still be a part of my life. Just not an every day part.

It's going to be hard to forget her. She was always carrying things for me: pens, pencils, snacks, ibuprofen, rulers, financial calculators, books, notes, gum, loose change... the list goes on and on. She even carried a little stuffed kangaroo with her for the last year just because I gave it to her. But it was time to say good-bye. So last night, at a small ceremony, I said good-bye to my green backpack. I said good-bye because I am done with classes. Done with my Master's experience. Done with it all. And I'm going to miss her.