Rewind — it’s Fall 2005. A Cornell freshman girl is alone on the streets of Ithaca. It’s nighttime. The vibe it is quiet. The shadows of streetlamps are creepy. She had just passed the infamous cross-dressing D.P. Dough deliveryman, and was then surrounded by a sea of frightening monotony: The houses and trees looked the same. The undecorated field before her became a vacuum of darkness.

Walking back to North Campus from The Cornell Daily Sun’s downtown office had seemed so simple. But she was wrong. And wrong again.

It was 20 minutes before an unlikely savior came rolling by. A “Wings Over Ithaca” delivery car (equipped with fuzzy leopard-printed seats) approached, as would a divine messenger from above. “Are you lost,” the driver said. “I’ll take you home.”

So in an impulsive act of quiet desperation, she went into a delivery car driven by a self-classified Cornell dropout. Violating the most basic tenet of childhood law (sorry, Mom), she entered the vehicle of a stranger. “Stay in school,” he warned. And to this day, she has.

Simultaneously frightened and gratified by this random act of kindness, the girl made it back to the dorms after some friendly chatter and delicious deliveries. Only in Ithaca. And only on the way home from The Sun.

Four years later, I should have known that that night would be the first leg of an absurd journey chartered by The Sun, one impossible to document in any communicable form. It has been a journey that led me into the murky depths of Cornell’s political arena, from the meditation mats of Buddhist monasteries to the hustle and bustle of the third presidential debate at Hofstra University. It dragged me places as local as the Memorial Room of Willard Straight Hall, and as far-fetched and obscure as the undeveloped countryside of Eastern China.

But more than a geographical trip, this has been a wild ride from within. It has made me see the world in candid photos and headlines. In potential story ledes and interesting sources. It has made me paranoid to no end about the sanctity of the next day’s paper, anxious about whether The Sun was as accurate, interesting and informative as it could — and should — be. And, most obviously, it made me shamefully sleep deprived.

The most important part of this journey, however, has not been the various destinations to which it led me. Nor was it the interviews, the editing, the writing under deadline, or the feeling you get when its Friday morning at 3 a.m. and you know you just completed another week of putting out The Sun. It was my co-pilots and my co-navigators, my fellow journeymen and the passengers who unabashedly piled into my car. It was you guys who, for me, were The Sun. And here’s to you all:

The 126th Editorial Board — I’m so lucky to have become so close with every single one of you. You are an amazingly talented group of editors, and more than that, you have become some of my best friends at Cornell. Whether it’s the day-long editorial meetings in Olin Café, or our impromptu gatherings on the CTB patio, I will remember the crazy family we morphed into so vividly for the rest of my life. I look forward to many more times when we will be “Sun Center Active.”

Mom and Dad — The very, very best and The Sun’s #1 fans. Thanks for being the most fun and most supportive parents in the world. And Lee, for being a great brother and good sport. You had to learn way more than you would ever want to know about The Sun.

Noah, David, Chris, Vicky — what a team we made. Thank you for the endless laughter and making the past year so much fun.

Emily — As I try to envision a superhuman who is a better editor and better friend than you, I realize it is impossible. You have done an amazing job this semester and I’m excited to see what you come up with in the coming months.

Ben — As the newest member of our noble lineage, I coudn’t picture a better ME. You have the perfect mix of traits for the job: vision, perseverance, creativity, and, of course, insanity. I am proud when I pick up the paper every day.

The News Family (Bromer, Cohn, Eisen, Marcus) — You endlessly amazed me with your dedication, talent and hilarious quirks. Thanks for making the 126th so great. So many good times had, and so many more to come.

Sammy — Weirdly, we like talking about books and academic theory. You have been such an asset to The Sun these past years, and your sense of humor, creativity and energy will continue to make you a great writer (even for children) and a hilarious illustrator. I’m so excited for your first book.

Cory —You said it yourself, but my sophomore-year mute phase prevented our banter until last January. You were an amazing sports editor, and you brought the 126th together in so many ways. I am so glad we had each other to simultaneously love and hate life to no end.

Molly — From the D1 and D2 computers to adjoining desks in the Uris Cocktail lounge pulling five consecutive all-nighters together, all I have to say is YIKES, we’ve come a long way. I cannot wait to find your byline in the future. You’re such a talented writer and a journalist at heart.

Carol, Munier, Deb, Jenn — So much spunk. As designers/photographers, you are so incredibly talented, and your intellect and sense of humor will always amaze me. Thanks for being an inspiration and always challenging me to think in different ways.

Schroeder — You are, and will always be, the heart and soul of The Sun. Even when you play weird music and yell at us to get pages out. It was amazing to work with you these past years.

Olivia, Rebecca, Jonny and the 125th — You inspired me to pursue The Sun, and have continued to be my friends and mentors.

The 127th — You’re all amazing.

Claudia, Corey, Heather, Jenna, Karen, Laura, Marielle — Thank you for being the best friends anyone could ask for. It is so rare for anyone to have such a great group of friends for all four years of college. From writing The Essence to making a Thanksgiving feast, to endlessly repeating self-congratulatory phrases (we. are. awesome) the laughs and amazingness of 124/301 will never fade as we move to different addresses.

To the Class of 2009 — Congratulations!