The Washington Post's Peter Baker sent this farewell note, obtained by FishbowlDC, to his colleagues today. Baker is joining the New York Times.

Dear friends and colleagues,

This is the note I never expected to write. I'd always figured my farewell to the Post would come in the form of a tiny little obituary stuffed at the bottom of B6: "Ancient Reporter Keels Over On Deadline." But life is full of surprises and it turns out that after 20 wonderful years at the Post, it's time to move on.

While I'm excited about future opportunities, this is also a wrenching moment, for nearly everyone I love in the world, it seems, works right here. The Post has been home for nearly my entire adult life and has given me everything I could ever want, including a beautiful and amazing wife. For a kid who grew up in the Washington suburbs devouring every morning's Post, working here has been literally a dream come true. There's no finer team of journalists or colleagues. But change is good for people, just as it is for newspapers.

Thank you for all your support and friendship through good times and bad. Please stay in touch. I can be reached at [REDACTED].

All best,
Peter Baker