Dear Madison,
I am one of the luckiest people in the world just from spending time with you. You are an incredible city full of some of the most outstanding people I've ever met and/or come in contact with.
You've taught me an amazing amount about life and myself, whether it was positive or negative. The times I've had with you have literally been the best times of my life and I'm very sad to leave you.
The farmer's market every Saturday, Mickie's Dairy Bar after a night of drinking, all the different bars, game days (no matter: football, basketball, hockey etc.), the new, old, and amazing friends, the concert scene, the terrace, Bascom hill (as long as you're not running up and down it!), two Champs Sports Bowls, three Rose Bowls, and of course my education here. You have made me who I am today and I can't believe my time (for now) with you is over.
Being a part of this city, even if it was just for five years, has made me one of the happiest people in the world! I can't believe I'm leaving to follow my dreams by making movies, but everyone is extremely supportive and wonderful about it all. I am unbelievably excited to go to Washington DC, but am and will always have a longing for Madison.
As a city it is one of the most unique places you can visit. The atmosphere every day is just amazing. There is always something going on! And on top of that you have football game days on Saturdays, which has been touted as the best college sports town by many people, and I obviously cannot agree more. This Sports Illustrated article says everything and more about what I think of this town on game day:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/sioncampus/09/10/top_ten0916/
And being in the band has aided my love of this city and this school. I don't know how I'm going to enjoy DC as much as I have enjoyed Madison, but somehow I know I'll find a way. It's going to be strange having to start over with brand new friends and brand new experiences, but I plan to make the best of it.
My friends here have been the best of my whole life and I cannot wait to come back and visit! Or see some out in DC or wherever any of them are. You have all made me who I am today and I am proud of everything you're doing. I'm also very grateful for the support and love you have shown me and couldn't be happier with the amount of friends I have. You're all incredible and don't EVER forget that.
I've always known I would leave you Madison, but am a very lucky man to have had the time that I've had with you and will never ever forget all things you've done for me. I will always remember my times in Madison as some of the best of my life. I know many people say that about their time in college, but they don't know what they're talking about unless they went to the University of Wisconsin Madison.
Thank you for the nights you took care of me. The countless game days I was a part of (and of course will be a part of for the rest of my life). The friends I've made through you. The incredibly unforgettable days and nights through you. The education I received from living in Madison. I feel like I'm the luckiest man in the world. And it will always come back to this city. I cannot express how much I'm going to miss this town enough. You are simply the best. Washington DC has a lot to live up to, but strangely enough I think it might. I will never have the same experiences as I did in Madison and I love that. You are an incredible and amazing city and cannot wait to come back and visit as often as I can.
Thank you for taking care of me for the last five years. From one capital to another! I will always hold a special place in my heart for Wisconsin, but 95% of that place is reserved for Madison. I love the friends I've made here, all the different experiences I've had, and of course you, the city itself. I'm undeniably one of the luckiest people ever (if I haven't explained that enough yet) and I can't wait to "brainwash" my children into being diehard Badger fans to the point that they can't go anywhere else, but Wisconsin. I love love love love love LOVE you. I am sad to leave you, but you've done an indelible amount of work on me and for that I say thank you.
We never say goodbye, but simply we'll see you real soon, AND ON, WISCONSIN.
