Four civic elections. Three civic by-elections. Four mayors. Eighteen city councillors. Four federal elections. Two provincial elections. One Estevan Bruins playoff series victory. One booming city. One booming province. Too many late nights writing stories.

Estevan, it's been an incredible 10 years together.

I arrived in southeast Saskatchewan in early September of 2000, all of my belonging tucked into a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier and a 1995 GMC Sierra. My journalistic experience amounted to four years of writing, mostly sports, for my university newspaper.

I had never met anyone in Estevan, although I knew a few details, thanks to spending many Julys and Decembers in Regina and Weyburn. I also did some research on the internet, and I read a couple editions of Lifestyles that were sent to me during the recruiting pitch.

I came to Estevan armed only with youthful enthusiasm, energy, determination and passion. A career in journalism had been my goal since before I could legally vote or drive. It was the only career that interested me, and it’s all I know.

If I wasn’t an editor, I’d probably be working at a job that involves the question “Do you want fries with that?”

Did I think I would spend 10 years in Estevan? No. But can I picture myself living anywhere other than Estevan? No.

There have been changes. I've changed. The paper has changed. The newspaper industry has changed. Our fantastic website, www.sasklifestyles.com, has changed.

And Estevan, southeast Saskatchewan and the province are changing.

Yes, there are challenges associated with a city, a region and a province that are booming, but it beats the alternative. Just six years ago, we complained that Saskatchewan was failing to live up to its vast potential.

So what have I learned?

There will be long days, late nights and frantic moments, all in the name of covering events and finishing the paper by noon on Thursday. Days off and weekends off are rare, and should be cherished, but also met with a sense of panic.

And I have learned the importance of occasionally keeping my mouth shut.

I enjoy my editorial privilege, my press passes and my complimentary tickets. I'm thankful that I can circumvent line-ups. I get to see and do things that the average person will never be able to experience.

But at the end of the week, my greatest sense of satisfaction still comes from the notion that I am writing about what matters to our readers on a weekly basis. And it makes me happy to know that you enjoy our paper.

So here's to more Estevan Bruins playoff series victories, more late nights, fewer elections, continued growth in Estevan, and 10 more years together.