Happy Valentine’s Day dear readers. This is not a silly teehee little piece to make you giggle but a tiny love letter tucked away in the section of The Wire where I feel most at home. During Valentines, I celebrate all the love in my life in its many forms and I would be remiss to not speak about the deep adoration and gratitude I feel for this publication.

It is difficult to put into words what The Wire has meant to me because this work is challenging. I’ve felt endlessly frustrated, tired, overworked, alone and unseen. And, I’ve felt jubilation, pride, empowerment, success and community. My journey through college is documented across four years in this publication through jokes, poor font choices and page layouts. I am so proud to call this publication home. I am not alone in that. The publication you hold in your hands and read on the internet is the product of over 120 years of student love and labor. No matter how you feel about what you read and see in these pages, know that we care deeply about the work we do. 

Thank you to Madeline Kemp for hiring me as Humor writer as a scared weenie firstie with big dreams of making people giggle. Thank you to my work wife Kasey (happy birthday darling!). Thank you to all the students at Whitman College and ASWC for continued financial support. Thank you for reading us.

With love, 

Rachel