Dear Buffy,

For seven wonderful years, you have proven that you are not just any slayer, but the slayer that could win over anyone's heart. Whether we be television fans sitting at home, a wisecracking friend named Xander, or guys who are older than the country you live in.

But that's why you were so special to us. It was your charm, your leadership, your laced top that fans are rushing to fork over thousands of dollars to buy. You broke the stereotype that women -- especially beautiful blondes -- should turn and run at the sign of danger. You proved that learning martial arts is important if you live in California, and you proved that Joss Whedon could definitely do much better than a 1992 movie by the same name, may it rest in pieces.

I didn't find you, Buffy, until just a couple years ago. I had been writing about you for some time, but never sat down to watch you, until someone I was very close to (don't worry, they were not from the Hellmouth ... at least I don't think), had me sit down and watch your adventures on FX. And there was no turning back from there.

You were great with long hair, even better with short hair. We loved you when you were an only child, and didn't blink when you suddenly got a little sister out of nowhere. We gripped our seats when you turned Angel into Angelus, and we cried when you found your mother dead.

We know Angel was your true love, and Spike was just the guy you liked to tumble in bed with. We know you never returned those loving looks Willow gave you, and could see that knowing look in your own eyes whenever Willow was with Oz.

Giles became the father you always wanted to have around. But we know that you only had him, because he was better than that machine John Ritter. And I know you didn't give a second thought to the fact that Xander seemed to only be attracted to snobs, slayers and demons.

Thank you, Buffy, for being the leader, for being strong, for being compassionate. Thank you for killing demons -- big and small -- and dying for us ... twice. Thank you for letting Willow and Amber move in, for defending Spike, even against a principal who wanted to avenge his mother's death. Thank you for taking in one of my favorite people, Andrew, despite the fact that no one knows whether he's in love with Buffy or Xander.

There are so many people we will miss. Cordelia, you provided such wonderful shallowness to the show that seemed to disappear when you moved to Los Angeles. Riley, Riley, Riley, where art thou? Jenny Calendar, your life was cut way too short.

Mayor Wilkins, your love for Sunnydale was so evident, even if you did try to ascend into a higher evil being and ate Principal Snyder in the process. Glory, your magnificence is astounding. And Drusilla, oh so lovely Drusilla ... please come back someday.

As "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" ends, I just want to stop and say ... thank you.

Michael Hinman is news editor and co-founder of Airlock Alpha. He can be reached at michael@airlockalpha.com.

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