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Steve Ballmer at his last employee meeting

The end of an era.

No, he’s not technically leaving just yet. But Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said goodbye to the company he loves — one he joined when it was just a startup and he was a young man — in a tearful speech at the company’s annual employee meeting this week in Seattle.

The Verge obtained video of the emotionally-charged speech — which is pure Ballmer. Yes, there are plenty of tears, and a few high-fives with the crowd and even a bit of singing to the theme song from “Dirty Dancing.” 

But, in true Ballmer style, it is 100 percent raw passion.

“I just want to enjoy this for a minute,” says Ballmer as a giant “Thank you!” message appears on the big screen of Key Arena. “Soak it in. All of you. Soak it in. You work for the greatest company in the world. Soak it in.”

The Microsoft employees go nuts, with a few yelling out “We love you.” Ballmer responds by saying that “this isn’t about any one person, it is about the company.”

Watch the video below, and let us know what you think about Ballmer’s legacy.

RelatedThe spirit of Steve Ballmer is irreplaceable at Microsoft 

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