Picture it: October 2016.

WQMX is getting a new News Guy. A guy named Ryan Lang. Ryan had been at the station for a few months already, but I was so excited that he was coming to WQMX! Why? Because Ryan was already becoming someone I knew I wanted to know.

I heard Ryan before I actually met him. He was leaving the newsroom walking around and introducing himself. Ryan is loud, boisterous, witty. That day, he was being Ryan. Loud, friendly.

He introduced himself and made me laugh. I wish I could remember what he said, but I do remember laughing and thinking- whoa, this guy is seriously funny! He has never stopped making me laugh.

Ryan spent six years on Scott and Sarah in the Morning. Scott and I talk about this all time and are in total agreement. We hit our stride when Ryan was on the show. The three of us just gelled. It was perfect. Then, Ryan had to go and decide to further his career within our company and he ended up hosting his own morning show on our sister station 107.3 Alternative Cleveland for the past few years.

I tell Ryan all the time, I knew I was happy for him because when he got this morning show of his own, my first thought was one of happiness. He is a star! He needed to go off and shine. And, I still got to see him every day. He comes into my office every morning. We have coffee talk. We talk about life, gossip, all the things. It is one of the best times of the day for me. For real, when he pops his head in my office, I instantly light up.

Today is Ryan’s last day with our company. He is moving on to work with the American Red Cross and I know he is going to change the world. I know this because everyone needs to know Ryan Lang.

You see, Ryan Lang is special and I say this with every part of my being. I love him. Now, don’t make it weird!!!! Over the 9+ years I have come to know Ryan, he has honestly become one my favorite people, a best friend, a counselor, and did I mention he makes me laugh constantly?!

I have never had such an instant, platonic connection with someone than I did with him. Instant! We are the same age, we get each other’s humor, we grew up watching the same shows/movies/pop culture, he gets me, I get him. Through the years, we bonded over his dating life, his struggles with alcoholism, his wins with his sobriety, him falling in love, me falling in love with Megan (his wife), them asking me to get ordained to marry them, with Ryan becoming a father, a stepfather, and me basically inserting myself into every part of his life. Trust me, it works both ways too- I have overshared plenty with him!

I could go on and on and on about how much I enjoy Ryan and his family. I am proud of him and his accomplishments. He is a great guy and I am so happy I know him. Now, he is making this big choice to do what is best for his family and move on from radio. I know it isn’t an easy one, but it is the right one.

I am not sure if I am accurately getting across my feelings or portraying how unique Ryan Lang is. He is simply someone you want to be around. If you are lucky enough to get that, you get get it. If you know, you know.

He is going to be at great at whatever he wants to do. He’s Ryan. I’m me and I am being dramatic and acting like I am never going to see him again. We have plans this Sunday!!! But, I will miss our daily coffee talks, and him popping in the studio with a dad joke that leaves me in tears, and just seeing his car next to mine in the parking lot.

Just this week, he came walking in the studio to tell me and Scott this gem. “Hey Scott! Did you hear how Sarah left her bottle of Pepsi at a rest stop about 60 miles south of Tampa? That’s where Sarah’s soda is.” Sarasota! I laughed. Hard.

I will miss him every single day.

Ryan, you are a FRIEND in all CAPS, a pal, a confidant, but really you are so much more than that. You make people laugh and feel good in the little moments of every day life that makes you SIMPLY THE BEST!

See, I already miss you.