It hasn’t quite sunk in just yet that my esteemed colleague Tyler Murphy is leaving our little fold. Oh sure, I’ve had plenty of time to get used to the idea since he gave what is possibly the longest notice in history. (You know, Tyler, two weeks is customary. Two months is a bit excessive).

But despite more than ample notice, I’m not sure what I’ll do on Monday morning when he’s not here. You see, he (re)joined the ES staff during my second week on the job. And I’m not entirely certain how I’m going to manage without him. (Jeff, I hope you were sitting down for that little revelation.)

Our relationship has not always been an easy one. There has been a fair bit of tension between young Mr. Murphy and myself during our shared tenure at Chenango County’s hometown daily. Largely because we’re both fiercely competitive. And we have pretty divergent opinions and beliefs when it comes to, well, just about everything.

Including, I might add, where dirty dishes should be placed. I’m of the opinion that they should be put directly in the dishwasher. Tyler, on the other hand, insists on leaving them in the sink. Probably because he knows it irritates the heck out of me. (One of his greatest strengths is knowing how to push buttons.)

In fact, we fall so often on the opposite side of issues and debates that when we find ourselves agreeing philosophically on something – anything – we’re a bit taken aback.

The beauty of our differing view points is that it leads to healthy (and, yes, sometimes heated) discussion, something I can assure you there has been no shortage of these last couple of years.

It is one of the things I’m going to miss. Because I will miss him. More than I realized, actually. (Don’t let that go to your head, Tyler.)