Hi Lindsay,

You are the reason I’m here. You are the reason I am a grad student. I have never though of being one, ever in my life. It was a prompt decision. I was and will probably be the worst applicant in CSE history who made it through. I don’t know if you remember any of these – I applied weeks after the deadline, I had no clue how grad applications worked, had probably asked you a zillion stupid question, woke you up in middle of night (India is PST+12 hours). You were patient and my only hope. I don’t think I have told this to you before – for quite some time, while I was conversing with you over emails from India, I though you were a guy 🙂

You are a mother figure to me/us(I know I am speaking on behalf of many) in this alien land – introduced me/us to the CSE family, made space for me/us in this family, decorated our rooms in the home we call CSE and most importantly – you made me/us feel welcomed. On the other hand, I was (and still am) the spoiled brat running around the house, picking food and stealing candy from your MnM bowls 😉

Thank your for everything you have done to keep this family together, functional and productive. Many of us wont be here if it wasn’t for you. The first thing you told me when I came to see you in your office was – “Your batch will probably be the last one I’ll fully advise”. I don’t know if you moved on earlier or we got delayed. The point is – we still need you. I’m still going to come to you for advise. Promise us that we will see you on all department gatherings and parties. We can use a hug or two every now and then 🙂

You’re the best <PERIOD>