I hope that when I do leave the game, I can approach it the way you have done.  I've seen so many people leave in such a bitter way, throwing away all their gear and making big dramatic farewells and it makes me wonder if they even had fun playing in the first place.  Or there are those that quit and come back multiple times, each time becoming more disenchanted by the game until the good memories become clouded by all the unpleasant ones because, as we all know, your first months in FFXI are usually the more impressionable and enjoyable ones and all the HNMs and 75 jobs and new missions can't match up to the first time you set your character's foot in Zi'Tah or the first time you ran into Tiamat (and death lol). 

To me, the only reason I play are the people and everyone says that... but FFXI is really the only way I can talk and have fun with people despite the distance - we all like the game and we can all play together and have fun chatting even though someone is in another country, someone is staying up really late while someone else just woke up, and yet we have the game as this commonality that unites us.  I know that ultimately most of these people will not turn out to be life long friends yet they've all touched upon me in some way that has enlightened me and made me grow as a person. 

If you ever want to have lunch with your ex-girlfriend please feel free to contact me.  And thank you for letting me use Tomatopotato - that little taru has been one of the greatest gifts I've received in this game and getting to know you and all the great people you were friends with has been really wonderful.  And thank you for this post, it was something I really needed to read.

TP: you have been a great friend outside of the game as well as in the game. Even though you are half a world apart i still try my damndest to keep in touch with you man...  You are one of the true good ppl in this game.  I hope when i move to cali in a few months that you will be willing to make a return trip!  So Grissy, you and I can all go get some lunch and chill!~..  Keep in touch my friend much luv! <3 tiny~

/farewell

Mr Tomatopotatoes!

This devestating! From one tarutaru to another i wish you all the best in what you do! This is a long time after, because this is the first i have none, and you probably dont know me at all, but I am the tarutaru that gives other tarutaru cookies! and I am glad i had the pleasure of giving you one :D!

Floydy, I still remember you. :D Thank you for the cookie!

hi mato <3
you were one of the first people I met and I'll never forget you!
hope you're well