Dear 717,

I am quite contented that I have been able to spend time with you lately.

You make me oh so happy.

But I'm also sad because the changes taking place have become more and more evident each time I come back to you.

It's unavoidable. It's natural. It's life.

I only have a limited amount of months until you morph into "that place I used to live",

The place where I met all "those people I used to know".

Sometimes I like to think that you and I (and all your lovely inhabitants that I love so dearly) will be the ones to beat the odds, but reality has that annoying tendency of counteracting wishful thinking.

Damn you, Reality.

You take the fun out of everything.

But for realz. I love you 717. I will continue loving you even after I leave you. Because you're more than an area code, you're home.

Forever and always.

Love,

me