I'm not even sure where to begin with this...it seems like almost this whole entire year has been about you, David. It started in January, when AI Season 7 began, and I saw your audition and knew you would go so very far in the competition. As the weeks passed, I knew in my heart and in my soul that you were growing as a performer and as a man, and I felt honored to watch you each week.

Then the finale--when you were crowned the 2008 American Idol, I cried tears of joy, and I felt so very proud of you...It seemed like all your dreams had come true, and I couldn't have been happier for you.

When the tour began in July, I was able to get my daily 'fix' of your performances, the Mavid dances, and the stories of fan encounters. July 29th, 2008, was honestly one of the best days of my life...to have you come over to us right after you got off the bus, to hug you, talk to you, watch your smile when you saw the Terrible Towel I gave to you, and see you relaxed and having fun wile you waved the Towel for the crowd...it was simply wonderful. Then, to watch your incredible performance on stage that night, just totally blew me away. Five songs was simply not enough...your presence on stage is awe-inspiring. THAT is what you were born to do, David--share your music and your talent in a live setting, with the people who love you and your songs.

September 4, 2008--another incredble performance in Cleveland. Although you did not come out to greet the fans before the show, the concert itself was life-changing...to be even closer to you during the show, and to watch you take command of the stage and pour your heart into your performances...made me realize that you are truly "IT" and I knew then that I would love you and your music for your entire career.

But then, the AI tour ended...no more daily 'fixes' on the websites, no more stories of personal fan encounters, no more pics of you and the other top 10 contestants before, during, and after the shows. It seemed that I 'hung on' for a long time, looking for any scrap of information about you, because I had gotten so used to hearing daily updates about what you were doing at the time.

Now, as much as I hate it and as much as I try to fight it, I have to come to the realization that things have changed, and this chapter of my life is ending...it makes me so very sad. I am so excited for you and for all of your future endeavors--the CD will be out soon, you have so many appearances/events coming up, and then the solo tour will begin with the new band...but yet, it's hard to let go of the memories that I have from these past 10 months. It seems now that you really don't belong to 'us' anymore...don't get me wrong, I know you never did belong to 'us'...but now it seems that you are part of the industry, and while I know that is what you have always wanted, it's just hard to imagine all the changes that have occurred druing this year.

Because of you, David, I have met some incredible people, and some of them will be friends for life, but I even feel that our friendships are changing now. It seems that all of us are grappling with the changes that are occurring, both with you/your career and within ourselves.

So, I am sad today (and yes, a little frightened), because I feel like so many things are changing and evolving now...AI is over, the summer tour is over, you are moving on to bigger and better things, and like I said, as much as I try to fight it, my friendships seem to be changing and I am changing...it scares me. I know that life moves on, and things need to move forward, but I don't want to lose these feelings that have come over me during this year. I am afraid of getting lost again, and falling into the hole once again...I don't want to go thru that anymore.

I didn't know how to begin this, and I don't know how to end this...it's not "Goodbye" to you or to the people I have met because of you, but I guess it is time to pack those memories of these past 10 months into a special place in my heart and soul, and move on to the next chapter of my life. You are moving on too, and I only wish the very best for you...You honestly have changed me, David, and for that, I will always be able to say (with a smile), "I love David Cook"...And to my friends, "I love all of you, too, and while things may change, let's always remain true to each other and true to ourselves..."

I guess I will hold on to the saying...DON'T CRY BECAUSE IT'S OVER--SMILE BECAUSE IT HAPPENED...I will always smile when I think of this time in my life...