Goodbye and thank you for everything, Coventry!

To my dear Coventry Patch readers:

Unfortunately, as of Jan. 29, my time at Coventry Patch has come to an end due to AOL's recent sale of Patch to Hale Global, who will no longer be staffing the majority of Patch sites across the country.

I have so much to say and so many hugs and thank you's for everyone who made Coventry Patch what it was - for better or worse - but I've vowed to keep this short and sweet.

Since 2010, as both a resident and journalist in Coventry, I've found myself laughing, crying, smiling and yelling with you, have felt the same happiness, sadness, fear, pride and hope for our town as you, and I will continue to…minus the laptop in most cases. I'm a better person for meeting each and every one of you and I am forever grateful for everything I've learned from my time in this role.

I'm proud to be able to leave as the founding editor of Coventry Patch -- I've put more blood, sweat and tears into this venture than anything else in my 27 years on this planet.

I have no idea where Patch will go from here - if anywhere, but I wish my few colleagues across the country who remain the best of luck going forward. I will always believe in Patch's original vision of local, personal and accessible news and information - as well as its mission to bring communities together and keep them informed. Perhaps I'll consider a similar endeavor in the future, but for now I'm just excited and looking forward to seeing what comes my way next.

Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, Coventry. I'll miss being "Patch Girl", but I'll be around. Be sure to say hi if you see me out and about.

Take care. It's been a pleasure.

Lauren