You know, maybe 2023 wasn't so bad.

Why it matters: It's easy to fixate on the negative. Honestly, it's kind of our job as journalists — it's not exactly news when the zoo doesn't burn down or the city sends out tax bills without mucking a bunch of them up.

• We're always so fixated on whatever's happening right now that it can be hard to find the time and space to reflect on the bigger picture.

What's happening: This end-of-year edition forced us to find some time and space to reflect on the bigger picture.

• And on the whole, we found more good than bad.

Mayor Stoney crammed a decade's worth of milestones into one year: marriage, pregnancy and announcing a gubernatorial run.

• He also unveiled his first themed couple's Halloween costume. Welcome to middle age, millennial mayor.

Sen. Joe Morrissey exited stage left after losing two Democratic primaries in a row amid a high-profile divorce and allegations of abuse.

• And we sent Jenn McClellan, quite possibly the city's least objectionable politician, to Congress. (Here's some dirt: Did you know she's a Disney adult? Heartwarming.)

We re-lived the casino debate. Which, yes, was tedious and, at times, ugly.

• But whichever side you're on, we can appreciate that the losing campaign pumped $10 million into the local economy.

We ended the ballpark debate.

• The city announced plans for the Diamond District this summer. Things have been suspiciously quiet since then, but city officials swear things are still on track.

We learned about VPNs after Gov. Youngkin signed a law cracking down on online porn. Which, listen, we don't care why you're using one — it's an excellent security practice on unfamiliar WiFi networks anyways.

It took tragedy, but the city and VCU started to get serious about pedestrian safety, installing speed humps and making plans for bigger changes.

And let us never forget Patches, the 40-pound cat that stole our hearts while sticking to his rigorous weight-loss plan (he's now a svelte 28.58 pounds).

• By all accounts, he's thriving, and maybe, so are we.

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📅 Upcoming events around the city.

Broadway in Richmond - Annie at Altria Theater January 16-21:

Don't miss Broadway's celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit, which remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

2023 wasn't just a year of casino referendum redos and porn hacks. It was also a time of firsts for the River City.

This year, Richmond saw its first:

🙌 Official 804 Day — a whole Aug. 4 officially dedicated to celebrating Richmond every year, which henceforth will apparently include an annual festival and awesome 804-inspired discounts from local businesses.

• (It's unclear if those offers will be extended to the unlucky recipients of next year's new 686 area code.)

🍔 Shake Shack! We finally got one — and were reminded that it is, in fact, just a fast-food chain. Albeit a damn delicious one.

🍆 Hustler Hollywood — and with it, Richmond also got its first Pizza Hut-to-porn-shop conversion and mural of Hustler founder Larry Flynt (it's in the back left of the store, next to the phallic straws).

⛽️ Sheetz in the city.

Keep reading for more firsts

🚗 Gov. Youngkin says he's reviving a 20-year-old effort to repeal the local car tax, which he called "the most hated tax in Virginia." (Times-Dispatch)

💾 A report by the Inspector General blames the erroneous purging of around 3,400 Virginians from voter rolls on poor communication and incorrectly updated software. (VPM)

🚨 The annual Richmond Jewish Food Festival, usually held in January, will be postponed next year due to security concerns and rising antisemitism, organizers say. (Times-Dispatch)

The FBI is investigating a bomb threat against South Richmond synagogue Congregation Or Ami. (WRIC)

Ned here, signing off from my last Axios Richmond newsletter.

What's happening: Big life changes.

• My wife joined the U.S. Foreign Service this year, and we're moving with our 2-year-old son to Montevideo, Uruguay, next year for her first posting.

Flashback: I'm a Virginia native who moved to Richmond 12 years ago by way of rural Massachusetts, where I was reporting for a small daily paper.

• I wanted to work somewhere with a little more going on news-wise and, in terms of my personal life, a wider dating pool.

What happened: Successful on both counts, I guess. I met the woman I'd marry my first month in Richmond (love you, Jackie!) and ended up covering the city and state through a period of change I don't think anyone could have anticipated.

• Back then the Confederate monuments were untouchable. Virginia's politics leaned decidedly red. And there wasn't a single brewery in Scott's Addition.

Chronicling the wild ups and downs has been a privilege.

• The weird, messy realities of municipal governance.
• The random detours to learn about historic squirrels, smuggled fish and overweight donkeys.
• The adrenalin rush of chasing a stolen armored personnel carrier as it barreled down Broad Street.
• The horror of witnessing white supremacists descend on Charlottesville.
• The jubilant throng as the first statues came down in Richmond amid thunderclaps and driving rain.
• The scandal that nearly toppled a governor but instead — somehow — gave way to the most consequential two years of lawmaking in recent memory.
• And the sharp swing that brought our current governor into office.

The big picture: Richmond, I've loved getting to know you, and I'll miss you terribly.

• Thanks to all the friends, coworkers and sources who helped me along the way.
• And thanks to Axios for letting me cap off my career here in such a fun way. It's not everyday you find a news outlet that encourages you to pair the serious stuff with a special mix of (sometimes questionable) food reviews, snark and local pride.

The bottom line: Goodbye! And look out for my byline from Montevideo.