For those of you who have ever chatted with me, you know I can, at times, be long-winded.

So I plan to make this short—at least by my terms.

This is my final week as editor of Northfield Patch. I've accepted a position as communications coordinator for the Minnesota Society of CPAs, a not-for-profit with 9,400 members. It’s a great move for me as I focus on my long-term career goals and look for a new challenge. I greatly enjoyed my time with Patch, especially getting to know so many wonderful people near and far in the company. Most of all, I’ll miss working with so many great people in Northfield.

And that's what this job has been about: Northfield.

From day one, my goal with Patch was to be a real person who lived and breathed this community; I didn't want to be just another byline. I've had countless conversations with people in coffee shops, on the streets of Northfield and at many wonderful events. We talked about Patch, about our lovely city and about life. Those conversations were vital in shaping Patch into a site in which the community wanted to take ownership. Thank you for that.

With Northfield Patch, we've covered tragic news, important news and, occasionally, silly news. I also shared personal stories like welcoming my daughter into this world as a native Northfielder (like her mother and unlike her transplant father). You've embraced this site, Northfield, and I'm better for it. I believe Northfield is better for it. I'm a firm believer in a strong media ecosystem and this city's residents are very fortunate to have multiple sources for their news and information.

That will continue as I move on from Patch. Northfield Patch will be here as it's part of a strong system of 900 Patch sites nationwide and 25 in Minnesota. And it will continue to do what it's always done: be a place to learn the news, share the news and participate in the news.

I'm very proud to say Northfield has become a leader in all of Patch as a site that has its community as strong partners. You've submitted more than 1,100 Local Voice blogs that shared news about sporting events, the political landscape and community functions. You've also posted thousands of announcements and event listings. This is your site as much as it was ever mine.

All told, I've spent the past three years covering Northfield and the past five years covering Rice County when you include my time as a reporter at the Northfield News and Faribault Daily News before taking my position with Patch. It's been a privilege to have that responsibility and role in this wonderful community. Thank you for your time, support and kind words as I look ahead.