Dear Joe Louis Arena,

This past week I got to go to my last Red Wings game at the Joe. As this season is coming to an end soon, I want to say a few things.

Thank you.

Thank you for all of the memories you’ve given me. Watching my favorite team win at home is the most amazing thing. One of my favorite memories was a few years ago, the Red Wings were playing the Penguins and they went to overtime, I was so nervous for them. Then one of my favorite players, Justin Abdelkader, scores! I don’t think I’ve ever yelled so loud at a game before. Watching those exciting, nail biting games was the most exhilarating. Watching my team lose at home is always the most heartbreaking, but knowing I was there cheering them on will always be a great memory. My family has been going to games together since I can remember. It’s always been one of those happy memories we will all never forget.

Thank you for being the place that feels like home every time I step foot inside. Even with the thousands of people there, I’ve never felt so at home. The energy that everyone has is indescribable, you all have the same passion and love for this one team and that truly brings you all together.

This past week I walked inside knowing it would be the last time. I knew I would never be able to watch my favorite boys play on that ice ever again. I knew I would never feel the energy and happiness I got every time I was there. I knew it was the last time and I never wanted that feeling to go away. But it did. The game ended and I sat there taking it all in one last time. I cried. Saying goodbye to the place you’ve loved your whole life is a hard thing to do.

You will be missed.

The feeling keeps getting more and more real that I will never be back. I will never get to sing Don’t Stop Believin’ inside the Joe after a win ever again. I won’t get to see my Red Wings play on that home ice. Yes, we will all love the new Little Caesars Arena next year, but in a different way. The Joe will always have a special place in everyone’s hearts. It’s been their home for the past 38 years. In that time, we’ve watched many great players, such as Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Henrik Zetterberg. This is the place they’ve all called home. This is a place that will be missed by all Red Wings fans.

This year the Detroit Red Wings and their fans have lost a lot; including the greatest Red Wing, Gordie Howe, their playoff streak that has been around longer than I have been alive, and their home, the beloved Joe Louis Arena.