Brian Bowen Smith/FOX.

How do you say goodbye after 12 seasons? Today, Bones creator Hart Hanson published an emotional farewell to the FOX TV series in The Hollywood Reporter.

The 12th and final season of the long-running crime drama begins tonight, January 3rd, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The cast includes Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, T.J. Thyne, Eric Millegan, Tamara Taylor, Michaela Conlin, John Francis Daley, Patricia Belcher, and David Greenman.

In the letter, Hanson recalled the last day of shooting the series finale, which was directed by David Boreanaz.

Director Boreanaz called “cut” a little early so that cast and crew could gather for a photo on the platform. Which is when the most wonderful thing happened: spontaneous speeches! It was surprisingly emotional. I enjoyed standing with the cast and crew on the platform watching speeches from cast and crew unfold because I started this carnival/parade/movable feast by writing the Bones pilot in my backyard shed in 2004.”

He ended the farewell message by thanking the cast and crew of FOX‘s longest-running scripted drama:

Not much, it turns out, because suddenly looking at cast and crew smiling down at me from the platform, I saw faces of people who had given blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul to Bones for season after season. For years! I saw the children who were born. Couples who married. All the shadows of cast and crew past. Not to mention the ghosts of a few of our own who had died while Bones was in production.

It’s a miracle that forensic platform didn’t collapse under the weight of that whole damned village! But, of course, it didn’t collapse. Like everything else attached to Bones, that platform (essentially our main stage, the center of the series) was constructed by professionals who took pride in their jobs.

Thanks, everyone. Thank you so much.

You did a wonderful job.

We’re all going to miss us all.”

What do you think? Are you a fan of Bones? What’s your favorite moment(s) from the show so far?