Dear Readers, 

Several times in my life, forces in the universe aligned to shuttle me right where I needed to be. Five years ago, I was lucky enough to still be a smoker (yeah, yeah, bear with me). One December morn, I was taking a ciggy break in the alley behind the old NUVO building in Broad Ripple, sheepishly confessing to a co-worker that I was an awkward classified advertising associate by day, would-be writer by night. I had the further good fortune to be eavesdropped upon by Jim Poyser, who would become my managing editor. He asked me if I'd be willing to try my hand at an advice column. So, with the snuff of a butt and a nervous gulp, Baggage Claim was born. For the last five years, it has been a pleasure and honor to deliver my best attempts at dispensing relationship advice to those who had screwed up, been screwed over or were just wanting to improve the way they screw. I'd like to thank all of you brave enough to trust me with your problems, wishes and sins (both repented and not-so-much). I hope you found in my responses guidance, comfort and a pillow with every punch. For my readers, I hope I provided at least entertainment, and perhaps a feeling of being less alone in your own navigation through the minefields of love, sex and every possible combination of the two.

But now, change being inevitable, forces have aligned once again. In the wake of some revamping at NUVO, and the imminent birth of Baby Lou, I will be officially hanging up my wagging finger. I'd like to thank everyone at NUVO, especially Jim Poyser and Kevin McKinney, for giving me this wonderful opportunity, and Lisa Gauthier for ensuring my column was as free of grammatical atrocity as possible. Another big thank you goes to David Smiley, KJ and everyone on the Smiley Morning Show for letting me pimp my wares on a weekly basis. Of course, thanks to all my family and friends for their encouragement and, heh heh, for those occasions they allowed me to harvest their pain when it suited a particular column. Lastly, love and endless gratitude to my husband, Ryan, for being my perfect partner in all ways, and a daily reminder that life is amazing with someone whose baggage matches yours.
To everyone, just one more time and with complete sincerity, thank you.

Live and love well, Naptown.

Love,
Lou