Remember that Christmas when mom and dad promised me I wasn’t going to get you? But there you were, toward the back of the present pile, waiting for me.

If your inability to play more than six songs before you die is any indication, it won’t be long now until you aren’t going to be there waiting for me, so I wanted to tell you a few things before you go.

First, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you for being there for my on those long, cold bus rides to basketball games in the middle of Nowheresville. Thank you for being there for me on the treacherous trips across campus in the dead of winter. You, combined with my headphones, have always had a way of keeping me happy and warm. Really, just thank you for being my friend.

Now we need to get into a few apologies.

Look, I’m really sorry for that time I lost you for an entire month. It wasn’t because I didn’t want you; I just really couldn’t find you anywhere, you stealthy little devil. Every time I thought of you I got sick to my stomach in fear that you would never come back. I don’t ever want to be without you, iPod.

Ever.

I’m also sorry for the abundance of Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync I filled you with. Sometimes a girl just has to break it down to a little “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart).” Can you blame me for that? At least I kept you Gaga-free.

I know I’ve dropped you and forgotten you in my car during winter nights, but I don’t want you to think I don’t love you. I do, iPod. I love you with every fiber of my being.

So there’s going to be a time here soon when I’ll have to replace you for the sake of my listening pleasure, but I will never replace you in my heart. You will forever be my first and my favorite.

Again, thank you, from the bottom of my ever-loving heart.

Contact Nicole Aikens at [email protected].