I’ve never seen a busier newsroom than the one at the Federal Way Mirror.

During my first day as editor more than two years ago, then-Deputy Chief Andy Hwang stopped in to welcome me to the community, followed by a half-dozen other residents.

I learned to keep my office door open early on, as several “regulars” often stopped by to share inside information on the latest happenings in Federal Way. When they weren’t visiting, someone from the Kiwanis Club, the Lion’s Club, the Women’s Club of Federal Way, Reach Out, FUSION, the Farmers Market, the Historical Society of Federal Way or any number of nonprofit organizations would come by to share information about their nonprofits and invite me to their meetings.

Then there were the people who stopped by to question me over a controversial story or vented about their wet newspaper. During one political season, a group of supporters for a particular candidate were so impassioned that they marched into the office and demanded to speak with me on the spot as we were trying to send the Mirror off to press.

Since I’ve worked at the Mirror, this level of community engagement has remained consistent.

And if I’ve learned one thing about Federal Way, it’s that the people here are truly passionate.

As I leave the Mirror this week to take on a new position as regional editor for other Sound Publishing newspapers on the Eastside, I’d like to thank all of you who have taken your time to visit me, call me, write letters to the editor and invite me into your workplaces and homes to share your stories and your lives.

Thank you to my Mirror family who I’ve worked very late nights with and talked politics over pizza with after our candidate debates, who I’ve cried with over heartfelt people we’ve interviewed and who have helped me grow as an editor. Thank you to Mirror columnist Bob Roegner for our continuous conversations over your columns and for keeping the community vigilant (whether they’re looking over their shoulder for you or keeping an eye on the issues you opine about).

Thank you to our elected leaders on the Federal Way City Council, our legislators and King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer. The Mirror watches your actions closely but we never forget that you are serving Federal Way and care for this community.

Thank you, Mayor Jim Ferrell, for being on call any time I needed to ask you tough questions, and thank you for your candor.

Thank you to new Superintendent Tammy Campbell for bringing a new sense of stability to our schools. And thank you to all the countless contributors who send us photos and other content to help strengthen your community newspaper.

During my time at the Mirror, I’ve watched downtown Federal Way transform from a questionable area, to an actual downtown with a new park and a soon-to-be-complete Performing Arts and Event Center. As part of that vision, the city also purchased the former Target site for $8.2 million.

These three issues alone generated much controversy into the pages of the Mirror from people on both sides of the issues who care about this city and want to make sure that it progresses and grows in the right direction.

But no matter how slow or fast change is occurring in Federal Way, one thing will always remain steady — the passionate people who live and work here.

Federal Way, don’t ever change that.