Sure, people leave all the time. But she’s different. She grew up in the Boston area, which means a few things. Yes, she pahks the cah in Hahvad yahd. But she also uses the term “wicked” with wicked reckless abandonment.

On her way to LA, she’s leaving behind friendships that were kindled practically before she could walk. Many of her close friends have known her since elementary school. Some before that.

I moved to Boston this year, so I’ve only had the pleasure of her acquaintance for about nine months. In that short time, she’s had an impact on me. As a writer, I’m more effective when I’m happy. I’m forcing a smile throughout this entire post to ensure top-notch readability. She’s the type of person that’s open to hear all thoughts, all opinions. She understands that everyone is creative in their own right and it just takes a bit of wax to make them shine. She inspires true creativity because she knows that no one is wrong, everyone is just different. That sort of thinking encourages me to keep writing, to keep expressing myself. She’s kept me happy, which has kept me writing.

When we hang out, she pokes my jokes in new directions. We discover avenues I thought were surely closed off. She inspires true creativity. I guess you could say she’s the quintessential creative muse. But that’s not giving her enough credit.

Nowadays, we’re encouraged to be uber independent. However I truly believe that the best creations come from teamwork. My boss would disagree. In fact, she’d prefer I put my headphones on for 10 hours each day, become a human silo, and figure out the company’s next problem and solution. Sounds like fun...no, it doesn’t. Zero fun. That’s not how the world works.

My soon-to-be LA friend is a collaborative all-star. Not only does that mean she loves Converse Chuck Taylors, but she also understands the benefit of working together. Both her opinion and tolerance are malleable, which encourages limitless creative reach. Tell her the sky looks pretty today and she’ll tell you, “It looks like a sailboat.” She encourages my next comment. My voicebox craves it. She welcomes whatever’s next with open ears. By the end of the conversation, we find ourselves talking about how cool it would be to have a chauffeur cat take us to work in a Hummer limo. Or as she calls it…”twerk.”

She’s the type of friend that comes up with new group sayings. New sayings that eventually become the trend. When you surprise her, a natural response is, “Say it to muh face.”

Now that she’s moving to LA, I won’t be able to say it to her face. I won’t be able to discover new creative inspiration from our walks and talks. I won’t be able to concept new crazy goodness with her as we try to avoid the Sunday blues.

Unfortunately, I don’t think my cat chauffeur dreams will ever come true. But for Rachel, I’m excited. One of her dreams is coming true and I’m more happy for her than I am sad. But I’ll always remember Meow Town.

Rach, have fun in LA. We’ll see you wicked soon.