Dr. Olmert: You and Dr. Russell built me right, I think. Even though I will never run with the fastest and strongest, I know that my experience as an undergraduate (and in part a graduate) has been life-changing. You have been a second father to me and I look forward to the day we can have morning chats. Thank you so much for teaching me to be unafraid of my writing (a lesson in which I need refreshing). Thank you so much for making me a great teacher.

Arthur: I am not sure how our paths parted ways, but with all things, it probably was meant to be. I cannot believe that so many years have passed since our first meeting in tenth grade. I just wanted to say that I give many thanks for being a part of the gaming crew. I want to thank you for all of your help with Archaea. I appreciate the inspiration and the creativity you have shown me. Honestly, I do want to be better friends again. So, I hope we are not at odds.

Will S.: Our friendship changed since we came back from Colorado. But things always change -- my moving to San Francisco being another example. I do want to say that I appreciate your presence, your sense of honor, your strength, your smile, and your kindness. I miss your company and I hope to keep in better touch. To this day I still have a crush on you -- I hope you take that as flattering -- but I think I crush on most people I care the most about.

Kevin: Brains, brawn, and beauty. What can I say, you're one of my most favorite people. And though our time together has been short, I am glad you started talking to me at the coffee counter in the student union. You energize me and I very much love your company. I have to find some way of getting you to stay in better touch.

David: Where has my cowboy gone? I have a feeling that our friendship was in part taking advantage of one another. But you forced me to finally take some stock of myself and my over-dependence. I am grateful for that lesson. I still think you are one of the most beautiful men I have ever met.

Kate: Somewhere along the way I think we became good friends and that makes me very happy. I think the geographical distance has made the proverbial heart grow proverbially fonder. Thank you very much for your consideration and your willingness to listen and your support. It's too bad that it's taken an incredible distance to bring us closer together -- though there's still things yet to discover. I don't miss your temper, but I love you anyway. Don't worry, I'm half-teasing. Pass the salt-and-vinegar chips.

Hugh: I miss our closeness very much. I admire your courage, your vitality, your comprehension, and your excellence. Plus, you always gave me such praise when I cooked for you. I thank you for the impact you've made on my life as a friend, a scholar, an activist, a gay man, and a student and a teacher. I will keep you always sighted on the horizon.

Meredith: So many memories are in part thanks to you. I very much appreciate your openness and your willingness to let me into your home (the gazillion of them) and into your life. Thank you for your dedication and your empathy. I have always thought we'd be closer, but somehow that never really happened. Perhaps it's because we're a lot alike and our personalities like to maintain a comfortable distance. You are a valued friend nonetheless. I miss the Cthulhu marathons and your adventure logs.

Andrew: Like others, it's taken the distance to cement the anchors of our friendship. I am very glad to chat with you every workday online. But, since I met you back in the day, I have always wanted to be your friend. You are one of the smartest, happiest, chipperest, most loyal people I know. Endeavor on, my friend, because you are one of those people I see making things happen. I am glad for your encouragement and your shoulder to cry on, gripe on, or pummel on. I look forward to your help and your honesty always. (And so you don't feel left out, I had a crush on you, too.)

John: What can I say? We were so different yet the chemistry was great. I saw so much in you and made the mistake of falling in love with you. I am saddened that our friendship did not survive that kind of intensity. In my memories and my fondness, you are still my favorite knight in shining armor. Perhaps one day our paths will cross again.

Lori Lou: I have always thought of you as a fragile heart. That sounds negative but I think we share that quality in common. Joy is so important to the both of us that discord pretty much destroys us. But, through the years, I have learned that you are a strong, independent, and mindful person. And as you struggle and survive through your father's decline, I think that heart of yours will simply grow stronger. Though we don't talk often and our conversations are sometimes stilted, I treasure what we share and will share in days to come.

Scott H.: Where are you? I never know where you are and half-expect you to appear on my doorstep. I am so glad that we became closer friends (than those murky high school days). Your zeal for trekking across the universe is something I don't quite understand but definitely respect and wish I had more of a taste of in my own spirit. I love you, my friend.