The end has begun for How I Met Your Mother Season 9. This is it.

How I Met Your Mother Season 9 is the final lap of the sitcom's TV journey. Avid fans are getting emotional. Series creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas are beginning to feel the early spasm of separation anxiety. Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson) is struck by nostalgia. The cast and production had their first read through for the final season and tweeted about it. Meanwhile, we've learned something new about the final season of HIMYM.

How I Met Your Mother Season 9: The end begins in NPH tweet!

How I Met Your Mother, season 9 has officially commenced! We had our first read thru today. Can't believe it - the beginning of the end.

— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) July 8, 2013

Neil Patrick Harris, who plays the mighty awesome, legendary character Barney Stinson, went viral for the HIMYM tweet. In merely 18 hours, the tweet gathered nearly 14 thousand "Favorites" and 22 thousand "Retweets." (The figures you see below are in real time.) How I Met Your Mother co-creator Craig Thomas also tweeted about the comedy's imminent ending.

#HIMYM Final season starts production Monday! Thrills! Chills! Me, crying alone in my office at the end of each episode we shoot! — Craig Thomas (@HimymCraig) July 6, 2013

Craig was so sad he nearly forgot someone else gave birth to the beloved show.

Did I say "crying alone?" I mean, crying with @carterbays! Thank God we've got each other!

— Craig Thomas (@HimymCraig) July 6, 2013

Carter Bays, for his part, dispelled rumours that How I Met Your Mother Season 9 will deliver less episodes than usual. Apparently, there will be 24 episodes in the HIMYM farewell season.

Lying on couch eating cheese, about to begin shooting a 24 episode season of TV, coined a new word: I'm precuperating. — Carter Bays (@CarterBays) July 8, 2013

How I Met Your Mother Season 9 Spoilers

- There will be 24 episodes in the final season of HIMYM.
- The season premiere is a one-hour show.
- Cristin Milioti, the actress who got the mother role, is likely to be in all 24 episodes, as she is now a series regular.
- How I Met Your Mother Season 9, Episode 1 is called, "The Locket"
- HIMYM 9x2 is called, "Coming Back."
- The whole season takes place in Robin's and Barney's honeymoon. The wedding is implied, but it will be seen in a non-linear arc.
- Ted is the last one in the gang to meet his future wife.

Mark your calendar. HIMYM 9 premiere date is on September 23. If you're attending the SDCC 2013 event, check this link for the show's participation. Josh Radnor (Ted Mosby) and the rest of the cast will attend the comic-con for the first time.

VIDEO: How I Met Your Mother Theme (A Cappella Cover)

#HIMYM theme a capella: http://t.co/NAbcOibrHL

— Craig Thomas (@HimymCraig) July 3, 2013

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How I Met Your Mother Season 9 Spoilers: 'After the Wedding' Moments; Who's First to Meet the Mother -- Robin, Barney, or Lily? [READ]
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