Baby, it’s just not working out for me. It’s not really something I want to do, but I know that this is for the better, and who knows — maybe we’ll get back together some time in the future. But for now, I’m sorry; I think we need some time apart.

I remember when I first met you. I guess I sort of knew who you were when I first got to Madison my freshman year. I’d heard things about you from my friends, but never seriously considered getting involved with you.

But as fate would have it, I bumped into a friend of yours one fall afternoon, and she introduced me to you. I remember that first meeting at Memorial Union, where I got to know you and your friends. You were so friendly to me, so welcoming; it was really refreshing to be wanted by you.

I’d spent the last summer pulling myself through a fog of depression, and I really think you saved my life. I saw how you dedicated yourself to making the world a better place, and how much you cared about everyone at UW-Madison. I was happy with just a casual relationship with you, but you really took me by surprise by wanting to take our relationship to a deeper level.

I have to admit, I was pretty inexperienced with relationships like ours. But you understood. You pushed me gently, and you taught me so much about myself and about the world around us. I know our relationship was rocky in the beginning, but when I saw how, together, you and I could make things better for those around us; I knew I had a keeper.

I loved how you made me want to be a better person, to push myself, to question my beliefs and to actually think about the world around me. What really made me fall in love with you, though, wasn’t really what you did for me, but rather, watching how you dedicated yourself to serving those around you.

You were something special for that; even though a lot of people who don’t understand you liked to talk smack about you, you stood firm in your conviction and dedication to serving those around you. I didn’t care what other misinformed folks had to say — you were a teacher, a listener and a provider. You were really something special, and now I have to let you go.

I know we fought sometimes. You definitely took up a lot of my time, and often times the effort and energy I spent on our relationship was exhausting and thankless. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way. That’s part of your allure — you evoke reactions out of those around you. Even though we’re no longer together, I know you’ll continue to challenge those around you, to provide for those who need it the most, and to serve the entire UW community.

I really didn’t want it to come to this, but it’s somewhat out of my hands now. I couldn’t have seen this coming, and there’s no way to avoid it now — we have to go our separate ways.

It pains me greatly not to personally see a lot of our dreams and aspirations through to completion, but I know you’ve got a great bunch of friends supporting you. I don’t feel as bad doing this because I know I’m leaving you in good hands.

I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulder, but at the same time, there’s a little empty spot inside of me. Maybe, hopefully we’ll get back together in the future, but it’s not your fault — it’s just not working out for me right now. I’m sorry, ASM, it’s time for me to resign.

Phil Ejercito ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in secondary education. He is a former ASM campus relations chair.

With apologies to Johnny Daly — though I never read the sports section, I’m told you’re going through a similar break-up.