I can’t be the only one who feels like things have felt a little bleaker than normal in our little corners of fandom this TV season. Even some of the shows we turn to for escape, fun, and happiness have taken very dark turns. For a while, I was really letting the overwhelmingly sad tone of the media I’ve been consuming take its toll on me. But then I realized that just because the things I’m watching feel dark; it doesn’t mean I have to let it darken my outlook on everything. It’s even more of a reason to shine whatever light I have more brightly.
As such, I’ve decided it’s time to spread a little love and joy at the start of the holiday season. And what better way to do that than an old-fashioned LOVE POST!
If any of you are or were active on LiveJournal at some point in your fandom history, you might know what love posts are all about. If not, here’s a quick rundown of the very basic rules of the game: Make a comment on this post with your username (and things like your Twitter or your Tumblr URL if you feel like people might know you better by those identifiers). Then, sit back and let others reply, telling you how much and why they love you. Finally, share the love! Reply to your friends’ comments on this post and tell them how awesome you think they are, or finally tell that one commenter you really respect how insightful you think their thoughts are.
Love posts are a great way to make new friends and strengthen existing fandom friendships (I think I owe LJ love posts a lot for allowing Heather and I to grow as close as we are today).
I’ll kick off the comments to show you how to get things started, and I hope this post is filled with love and happiness by the end of the day. Let’s have some fun today making the world a brighter place—one virtual hug at a time.
Nerdy Girl Notes 
Katie (aka nerdygirlnotes here and on Twitter)! ❤
KATIE YOU ARE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE RAY OF LIGHT. Not only are you an incredible writer but you are just such a force for love and positivity in fandom and on internet communities. Even just starting posts like this just perfectly exemplifies why I love you. You’re always looking for ways to bring the joy and the fun back into a situation, no matter how you yourself have been feeling, even if you’re having trouble seeing the joy yourself you just project light out into others lives all the time and it’s so wonderful. I wish you could always see for yourself the radiance with which others see you, the way you are admired and respected both here and on the social media you participate in. I’m still wowed that we get to talk about fangirly stuff, because I admire and respect your opinion so much. HUGS TO YOU
I feel like this reply is missing a cute icon and a Kris and Adam hug lol.
My incredible Leslie. I can’t and don’t want to imagine my life without you in it. Whether it is fandom-related, work-related, or just a random thought about our days, your texts always make me smile. You are always entirely too far away but when I am lucky enough to spend a few days with you, it’s so easy and natural and like we have done it all our lives. If anyone needs proof that friendships made online can be just as deep and real as someone you meet in person, we are that proof. You are honestly one of the best friends I’ve ever had and I love you so much.
I will forever be in awe of your skill as a writer and your strength of passion and conviction as a person. You feel everything so deeply and you use those feelings as a strength to push you to achieve your dreams even when you’re scared. You are just a beautiful person, inside and out.
you’re a darling girl and a ray of positivity in an often mopey and morose fandom. keep it up! i love reading your rundowns every week. and crying about the show with you.
Katie,
I love that you care so passionately about your writing, fandom, and the people here. I love that you bring thoughtful analysis to these shows. It’s a place to both enjoy and analyze. You take the Belle path of choosing to consistently be hopeful, thoughtful, and joyous even though it’s tough sometimes. You take delight in the chipped cups. You create a place of warmth and thoughtfulness.
On those days when you feel down, remember that I have virtual hugs, chocolate, and onion rings.
Katie – I feel like I say this often, but I feel like I can’t say it enough. Your writing was a light in a very dark time for me. And it is not an exaggeration that it helped pull me from the storm. Your capacity and bravery when it comes to being vulnerable in a space that is constantly trying to push you not to be speaks to your beauty and integrity. I know it isn’t always easy to live authentically and to watch you demand to do so is inspiring. Your gentle soul and fierce moral compass is a light that I am so grateful to be able to stand in as friends. Love and hugs and always the gatekeeper of NGN goodness.
Katie, I’m not even sure where to begin, but I want to start with it was a great day when I came across NGN, your writing and most importantly getting to know you. You are a walking sun all on your own and are hands down the most positive, enthusiastic and kind soul I’ve ever met. You are always happy to lend an ear to whatever I’m dealing with or to happily fangirl over OUAT and I love getting to talk to you through the random ranting over twitter. I hope you know that you are someone I deeply admire for being so hard working and really for giving me the reminder when I needed it most that being optimistic when cynicism is viewed to be more “realistic” these days is not a weakness but a strength. Its one of many that you have and you bring such happiness to the world just by being here and writing with all your heart and touching so many in the process. You are a gift Katie thank you my friend *hugs*
Katie:
I met you on Twitter and through this site! I love your fearless and beautiful writing. You aren’t afraid to show your emotions in your writing, and that’s what makes it real and honest. I love that I can participate in your book project, and I’m honored to be involved.
You’re also a sweet lady, and you’re nice to me even though I’m a little intense 🙂
Ok, I am giving myself a time limit because if I dont I am going to be here all night gushing about how amazing you are 🙂
TV is not an easy thing to love. The majority of the world just cant understand loving TV on the level that you and I and the majority of the people on this site love TV. For us its a commitment. It takes being vulnerable enough to be heartbroken and disappointed. It consumes our waking thoughts and keeps us up at night. Long running TV shows are sometimes with us for a decade of our lives, and their impact is real and significant. Whether its a healthy obsession is probably up for debate 😉 but its the life we lead. Growing up I didnt know anybody that loved TV as much as I do. I still dont know anybody in my everyday life that loves TV as much as I do. But you do, and I love that this site and our shared TV obsession has lead to us being such good friends. And through this site you have given me an outlet that I so desperately needed.
I think about you everyday, and countless number of times a day. Because of twitter and tumblr we are much more in tune with what is going on in our everyday lives than almost any other person I know. I actively change your photo icon in my phone once a month with whatever photo of Colin is my favorite at the time. DrS sometimes gets mad at me because I spend too much time on that “pink site” when he just wants me to watch Jeopardy (dont feel bad, he’s accepted it). I constantly see things late at night on West Coast time and I cant wait for you to see them when you wake up the next morning so we can talk about them. When you are having a bad day, I get frustrated that you arent within driving distance so I can come take you out for a drink and cheese sticks, because for me, sometimes the best way to calm the anxiety and critic in my head is just to distract myself with food and good company.
When I first started commenting on this site and talking to you via Twitter and Tumblr I kept telling DrS “this girl is going to think I am a crazy stalker and block me but I just want to be her friend! I want her address so I can send her DVDs!”. I am so glad you didn’t think I was a crazy stalker, haha.
I just want to thank you for being you, because who you are is smart, articulate, passionate, open, caring, positive, honest, fun, joyous, supportive, ambitious, and stylish, and I am honored to call you a friend ❤
(ps I went over my time limit because it takes me forever to put my feelings down and then I have to proofread it 10 times. You have a gift.)
So you both know. I have a very BEST FRIEND that I met in a fan forum. We met in person about 4 or 5 years later and have talked on the phone numerous times and talk every day via messaging. Why I’m saying this, is because just because this is a new medium of communication, it doesn’t mean that the relationships we make are any less important or meaningful. For me, I’m older now. Most of my best friends are still the people I went to college with or lived with right after college. But most of them live far away from me. So not only has this new media helped me stay in touch with them, but I’ve made a whole lot of other friends who I’ve grown just as close to and who provide that much needed friendship, when a husband just isn’t enough. Ya know?
Katie You are a a Gem. One of the rarest individuals that I truly take inspiration from. When confronted with negativity I sit back and ponder WWKD (What Would Katie Do). You have no idea how your positivity has impacted the way I communicate in my own life both at work and with family. You have created something here at NGN that is a magnet for such wonderful people. I love reading everyone’s comments and reviews even for the shows I don’t watch because it’s inspiring and shows the true power of positivity and respect.
Take #2, thanks WordPress for eating my comment lol.
I’ve meant to post here for over a week, finally getting to it yay!
Katie, knowing you is a delight. I love talking to you about so many things, conversations about The Selection series and Maxon and America’s relationship giving us feels, how much angst and joy our football teams bring us, the amazingness of Hamilton, and so many TV shows because there are a lot of them with fantastic ladies and great storylines and our english degree minds enjoy analyzing plot arcs and character development. Your passion, optimism, and drive are infectious, and you always make me want to do more, create more, share more, and have tons of fun doing it. I am so proud of you for building this site and this community where people can come enthusiastically discuss their favorite TV shows in a welcoming environment.
I loved getting to spend some time with you face to face for the few days we had a few years ago. Our trip to NYC is one of my favorites simply because the company was perfect. I loved getting to see First Date with you, squeeing over Zachary Levi and stage door-ing in the cold because we needed to see him and the rest of the cast in person, and pleasantly surprised by just how much we enjoyed the show. I loved walking around the city with you, taking in the tall buildings and the bright signs and the general atmosphere, drinking Starbucks and admiring all the jewelry at Tiffany’s. I loved how the four of us just talked about anything and everything the whole time, it was so much fun and I loved getting to actually hug you all. I really hope we get to see each other in person soon, because I miss your face! ❤
Heather/tvexamined ❤
Heather I feel like I don’t know you as well as I’d like, because we sort of passively follow one another on tumblr, but I always enjoy reading your tag rants and find that we share many similar views. Seeing the things you post and the passion you have just for loving things and thinking about them deeply is wonderful 😀
I feel like a love post a million years ago on LJ is where I first called you the “Ann to my Leslie,” so it seems fitting that I start my reply like this:
My beautiful tropical fish,
I could fill a billion color-coded binders with the reasons why I love you, but I’ll try my best to keep it brief. I love your for your patience and understanding, even when I’m at my most frustratingly anxious. Nobody helps me in those moments quite like you can. I love you for your unwavering belief in the people you care about, and I am honored to be on the receiving end of that belief. I love you for your insight, your incredible intelligence, and for your wonderful taste in media, which has to led to me discovering some of my new favorite shows.
But most of all, I love that with you—whether it’s in person or online or via text—I can be who I think is the best version of me. I love telling people how much I love them, and I know that makes some people uncomfortable. But with you I get to be honest about everything, and that includes getting to say cheesy stuff and sappy stuff and honest stuff about how much our friendship means to me. And I don’t take that lightly. Thank you for always making me feel comfortable, which is a rarity in my life.
I love that we’re perfect travel partners. I love sitting in hotel rooms and watching TV and eating ridiculously delicious breakfasts and talking about TV shows on Chicago rooftops over drinks when we should be resting for an early flight. I love sitting on my couch and crying over Parks and taking you to my favorite restaurants and going into stores filled with things we’ll never afford. And I love knowing that our next adventure is already less than a year away because I love you, but I also miss you. A lot. ❤
Heather – your combined analysis and joy for not just the media you consume – but how/why and what it means astounds me. I love that you’re passionate and compassionate in ways that I aspire to be. And I love that you took a chance on a stranger who you casually knew to share in an adventure of a lifetime with me. Our time in CA affirmed just how fantastic and multifaceted a person you are and what an amazing experience sharing fandom and bucket lists can be.
Heather dear, I have to say, you are definaetly one of my favorite people on Twitter. I love all your comments on TV (both shows I watch and don’t) and your knowledge of all things related to TV, whether it’s upfronts, or ratings, or pilot news, or contract renewals, is truly amazing and I feel like I have learned so much from you despite a 140 character limit! When you add in the food tweets (those cookies were a big hit btw), I think you just might be my perfect Twitter companion :). Before NGN my Twitter experience was pretty boring, but now it’s one of my favorite things, and you have been a huge part of that <3. So, if you are ever thinking "man, nobody but me probably cares about this" please know that I am always over here enjoying everything you say 🙂
Heather!!! Oh darling I completely am so happy I got to meet you and get to know you this year. That first night we talked on whatsapp for (a while if I remember right haha) is one of my favorite ever conversations I’ve had this year. You are such an understanding and patient person and I love how you radiate kindness and enthusiasm for everyone you talk to and for what you believe in and for all the wonderful media we’ve talked about. I instantly knew that you were someone who really I could talk to without having to worry from your compassion and manner with people. I can’t tell you how much that means so I”m really looking forward to more converstaions, fangirling and everything sweetie *hugs*
Heather! I am so glad to be your friend. You are such a steady, calming presence, and you were always so nice to me even when we only sort of knew each other in NYC, and as a person who gets nervous around new people and experiences, especially with my anxiety weirdness, I appreciated that a lot. I loved that we were able to talk to each other basically right away and one of my favorite things about the NYC trip was that it let me get to know you better. Spending time with you, Katie, and Nikki has been one of the highlights of my last couple of years and I really hope we get to do something similar again soon because I miss you! (WHY is the U.S. so big, it pains me to no end lol)
I love being able to talk TV with you, and not just about specific shows but about trends and ratings and about the ways in which people are talking about TV with each other. I love that your psychology interests match up so well with my literature analysis geekery. Talking with you about characters and their motivations, development, and the writers’ choices in how they tell a story is one of my favorite things about television. You also have such good taste in TV and I love that you’re constantly adding new shows to my to-watch list even though it really does not need to be any longer lol. There are definitely some shows that I probably would never have tried until you started talking about them, so thank you for helping to bring delightful new shows into my life!
I am loving being able to ramble at you about The 100 right now, and being able to analyze the characters and their complexities with you is so much fun. I can’t wait to be all caught up so we can properly flail in anticipation before Season Three starts. I am also really looking forward to Gilmore Girls coming back so we can squee over new episodes together! I never really had a TV buddy for Gilmore Girls while it was airing (it was mostly before I was truly involved with any online communities), and I’m really happy that I’ll be able to watch along with you this time.
Ronnie/geekalogian here and on Tumblr, RabidRonnie on Twitter 😀
Ronnie! I’m going to sound creepy since we’ve never talked and I just follow you on tumblr, but I’m so glad you’re a part of the OUaT fandom. I love reading your thoughts and have especially enjoyed them in relation to your faith. Your sincerity of belief comes through so clearly and I really admire that.
you! i adore you.
Ronnie! You’re so wonderful. I’m so happy we’ve started talking so much more, because you have such a calming presence in a fandom where that is sorely needed. I love everything you write—from your meta to your fics, even if I don’t tell you that as much as I should. I especially love your writings about how the media you consume connects with you faith. My faith is an important part of who I am, too, and you always remind me to be proud of that part of myself.
I also love how much you love your husband and your kids. Your posts about them always make me feel hopeful for finding that in my own life, so thank you for sharing that part of your life with us.
Ronnie, oh sweetie I absolutely adore you amazing adorable muffin. You are such a passionate and wonderful person, and I love how much you show who you are every day in your love for your husband, your kids, and your faith. You believe without limit, and its been amazing getting to know you and become your friend this year. Your awesome writing makes me happy every single time and I love how we can gush on whatsapp without fail a lot every week when we are both wanting Sunday to just get here haha, I am also deeply thankful that you are the first friend I”ve made on here through the wonders of fandom that I got to meet in person. That 2 1/2 drive I spent extremely excited and the day that followed was one of the best days I”ve had this year, bar none. Getting to see you preach, having lunch with you and your kids, and getting to just talk in person about everything we had connected over was nothing short of amazing. In short, you wear so many amazing hats, mom, wife, minister, friend, and I’m so glad that I got the chance to meet you. *hugs*
YOU’RE GONNA MAKE ME CRY SARAH. ILY
it is i, this-too-too-sullied-flesh. it’s been a long time since i’ve done a love post!
HI WE DON’T TALK ENOUGH ^_^ I really just love your upbeat attitude and hearing about all of your awesome cooking adventures and the way you’re bringing up your sons, which helps me as I think about what it will be like when my own little guy is older. I also, of course, am constantly amazed by your writing and the presence you bring into the fandom. Plus you are part of the reason that Husband and I have been listening to Hamilton on loop since Thanksgiving break, so I have you to thank for that as well because IT IS AMAZING.
you’re a doll and we really don’t talk enough. there you are, an ocean away…do you hafta be an ocean awayyyyyyy
I love that we’ve grown closer is the last few months. It means the world to me that you’ve been so supportive of my book. And I’m so glad that’s led to us talking more. Because you’re great—whether we’re crying together or tweeting each other in all caps ARE YOU ALIVE?. I also love your love for Hamilton because it feeds my own obsession with it. And your fics are AMAZING. Seriously. You’re crazy talented. I also love your posts about how much your sons care about OUAT. They never fail to make me smile.
😀 don’t waste your tears, katie. i live another fifty years, it’s not enough!
How have I never heard of a love post!? Am I too old for this? I had a livejournal back in the day but I didn’t really interact with anyone so I guess I missed out!
@shaunapiranha on Twitter and theshaunapiranha on Tumblr
I will be back later to spread some love!!
Maybe love posts were more fandom specific? In the American Idol fandom, we used to have them all the time. (Heather and Leah will agree.) They’re the best!
And now onto the love…
There’s nothing better than a fandom acquaintance that turns into the kind of friendship where you text each other to get through bad days, and that’s what we’ve found in each other. I love that we both get anxious about the same stuff in our TV shows because we can commiserate together. I love that we both let a love story between a princess and a pirate take over our lives until we couldn’t stop talking about them on this pink website and had no choice but to become friends. 😉
I think my favorite thing about you is that you sometimes get stressed about TV shows and fandom ridiculousness, but you always seem to have a good perspective on the fact that it should all be in good fun. It helps me try my best to have that same perspective. I love talking about the new shows we discover together and hearing what Dr. S. thinks about them, too. 😉 And I love that I have you to talk to about the fact that I went to one convention and now desperately want to go to as many as possible.
I also love your thoughtfulness. Whether it’s gifts from SDCC or texts about what’s going on there when I was away from my computer or pictures of Starbucks when you were in Europe, I want you to know that every single time you’ve done something like that, it’s kept me smiling for days. And for the record, you’re known in my house as “Shauna, the SDCC present friend.” 😉 You’re such a lovely person (inside and out—you give me such hair envy!), and I am beyond happy every day that OUAT Season 3 happened and we became friends because of it.
Shauna,
My partner in Buffy references and finding amusement in the craziest things. Your posts are such fun to read. I enjoy your analysis and the random thoughts that often make me laugh. I find myself nodding when I read your posts. You find a way of artiuclating what I’ve been thinking or the ideas I was circling around so that there’s the occasional YES! when I read. From what I’ve read, you are made of awesomesauce.
Shauna, I’m so happy you found NGN. Your OUaT comments are always amazing, so I’m glad everyone else benefits from your awesomeness, but you’ve also become such an important part of the circle of friends I’ve found from here. It’s always nice to have a fellow Buffy fan around and whether you’re taking pictures of your gorgeous beaches and sunsets or talking about beer, my twitter feed wouldn’t be the same without you. I love your love of The Flash and all of its wonderful characters and it was so nice to be able to talk about it with you last season and have someone else who was crying with me over Joe and Barry.
Shauna I have to say first you are literally a wonderful gem. You are always so kind and thoughtful talking to me when I’m tweeting about my bad days and just noticing me in general when I usually feel lost in a sea of people online. For sending me wonderful gifts from SDCC this year (that I cherish so much) and being happy to talk about any and all kind of tv and media and particularly I’ve always loved how you are completely yourself on Twitter and the online sphere in general. Even though I’ve never heard your voice every time you tweet it’s like I can hear you speaking anyways and that’s always amazed me (and probably shows how strange I am a but hey! Haha) bless you sweetie *hugs*
So it took me all weekend to get back to this site to throw some love your way Shauna. You absolutely embody why I love the internet. You are someone I would not have every encountered if not for the internet and this site. And the idea of that seems unfathomable to me. I value your insight and your strength of conviction. For whatever anxiety and fears you have all I ultimately see is someone bravely living her life on her terms. I adore that you have a myriad of quirky interests that span the breadth of who you are. Your note to Katie resonated so deeply with me. Finding a community who love something with the passion, emotion and commitment you do is such a rare thing. I’ve been lucky in my life to find those people who simply ‘got me’, Your support of me has been so generous and I want you to know that I am humbled by how quick and freely you’ve provided support. Trust me when I say there are days that your kind words across twitter have served as a life line and reminder that people can be loyal and supportive unconditionally. I am grateful for many many things, Your unlikely wonderful friendship has been a terrific discovery and I can not wait until we get all of us in a room someday soon.
Shauna, I have really enjoyed getting to talk to you and know you a bit this year! Your tweets about the beach always make me happy to see some sun and sand brightening up my Twitter feed, especially because there is not a good beach near me and I will live vicariously through you lol. I love how much you love The Flash and its characters, and your dislike of Oliver which is always fun to see during the crossover episodes lol. I also love seeing whatever drawings or artsy projects you’re working on, it’s always so pretty and fun and often something thoughtful for one of your friends which is so kind of you. I hope we can get to know each other more over the coming year!
Oh fun! 🙂 @lauraannmariee on Twitter and beauty-in-ordinary-things on Tumblr
Laura! First of all, I love how much you love your favorite ships and shows. I feel like I care so much about Olicity, despite never watching Arrow beyond crossovers with The Flash, because you love them so much. It’s a wonderful gift to have that kind of infectious enthusiasm, and you have that, my dear.
I also love reading your tweets because you always seem to find the fun, even when things in life or in fandom might not be going well. I enjoy the little joys and moments of fun from your life that you share with us because it always puts a smile on my face.
Hi Laura!
I may have stopped watching Arrow but seeing Oliver and Felicity being so adorable on my dash always brings a smile to my face. I love knowing that you’ll always be there to agree when I get grumpy about fandom in general and then go right back into fangirling later in the day. Your love of holiday movies always makes me smile at this time of year, so I hope you get to see a ton of extra adorable ones ❤
Ohhhhh, this is going to be fun.
Tempest
(Which is both a nod to literature and a comment on my character)
I’m so glad you commented because now I get to tell you how awesome you are without having to hijack an OUAT comment thread to do so. 😉
Seriously, every single time I get an email saying you’ve commented on one of my posts. I smile. Every time. You bring such joy to NGN, and this site wouldn’t be the same without you. I love that you have fun with fandom—you even found reasons to enjoy this week’s OUAT, which helped me find reasons to enjoy it, too. Your comments make me laugh, and they make me think about the media I’m consuming in different ways sometimes, which is what this site is all about. And I love being shallow with you, because it’s always a good day to talk about Colin O’Donoghue’s next-level beauty.
I also love that you go out of your way to be so kind and encouraging not just to me (thank you again for the virtual chocolate and the very real coffee) but to everyone you interact with on here. You’re always engaging with other people in such a fun, enthusiastic, and often entertaining way. I could read you and Shauna talking about stuff in these comments all day. You make NGN a brighter and more fun place to be, and I’m so thankful you found us.
You are awesome. Your OUaT comments are always a highlight of my week because you are so intelligent and insightful and fangirly all in one and it’s a perfect combination. You are always kind and enthusiastic and I’m so happy you’re a part of NGN.
I am so happy you found NGN and have joined in on the OUAT fun! I always love reading your comments and I am glad you have joined in on the randomness! It’s obvious we share a similar sense of humor. I love that you can make fun of the more ridiculous aspects of this show without being mean or insulting to the writers. I am a firm believer that humor doesn’t have to be mean (which unfortunately seems to be the default these days), and you are a perfect example of that!
I find myself constantly disappointed you are not on Twitter, because I am pretty sure you would fit with our Twitter family quite nicely :). But i will continue to be grateful I can count on you to be here every week with your clever and entertaining thoughts 🙂
Thanks! I only lurk on social media (in a completely non creepy manner, of course), but feel free to invent clever things for me to say. 😀
Dalissa aka @Divagirl11 aka nicademus11
Oh good. I was going to add your name to this in case you were still on your social media hiatus because you need some love.
You are just amazing. The work that you do and feel so passionately about, the beautiful daughter you are raising, and the love and openness you have for the media that touches you greatly all adds up to an incredible and inspiring person that I am so fortunate to know.
Our trip to California is something I will keep with me forever, not just because everyone involved in the show is so genuine and sweet, but because I got to share the experience with someone who is so moved by everything the show represents. Thank you so much for sharing that opportunity with me. Everything about it was perfect.
Dalissa—You were one of the first people to visit and comment here regularly who I didn’t know from previous online communities, and I remember being beyond honored and excited that someone as articulate as you clearly are chose to come play and share with us here at NGN. That hasn’t changed. I’m still honored now that you choose to share with us, perhaps even more so now as I know the full extent of your passion, intelligence, and incredibly generous spirit.
I love that when you offer advice you really sincerely mean it and want to help. I love how protective you are of this little nook of the Internet. And I love that you bravely and freely share so much with us, especially because you often shine a light on aspects of the things I love that I don’t think about because we’re in different places in our lives.
Meeting you and your daughter this summer was such a gift. You’re just as warm, openhearted, and fun in person as I’d imagined you would be. And it was wonderful to get to see the lovely, kind, and bright little girl you’ve raised. Her passion and enthusiasm speak to a mother who’s taught her to own and be proud of who she is and what means something to her. And that’s such a wonderful thing to instill in a kid. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: She’s lucky to have a mom as great as you, and we’re lucky to have someone as great as you as part of our NGN Family.
Dalissa, I am so glad you are part of the NGN family! I love hearing your opinions and the pride you take in being a mother and Latina is inspiring. Your comments on Once (and your letters for Katie’s book especially) always blow me away. Truth be told I was super intimidated when I first started commenting here because I didnt think I would ever have anything to say that came close to being as insightful as your thoughts. But the first time you replied to one of my comments I remember feeling a huge sense of pride, and along with Katie you helped me feel welcome and appreciated here, and I am truly grateful.
I know that one of these days we are going to have an epic NGN meetup, and I cant wait for that day to come so I can meet you in person! And being SoCal bound, I am always ready for an LA premiere, Disneyland, or SDCC adventure!
Oops, I still cant comment on this site right, lol. I dont know how you ladies put up with me.
Dalissa, I am so glad we’ve gotten to know each other a little bit this year! I love how passionate you are about your work and your daughter, and I always enjoy seeing you talk about whatever is going on in your life, be it terrible traffic or TV or important political issues. Thank you for being so kind and letting me email you with questions when my family was planning our DC trip this year, you were such a big help and I really appreciated that you were willing to take time out of your day to give me paragraphs of advice when we didn’t even know each other very well.
You are also the reason I finally tried out Hamilton, and I will be forever in your debt for being that final push that made me go listen to the musical which has become one of my favorite things and a new obsession, so thank you. I have loved getting to talk to you about our favorite songs and lyrics, how awesome Lin-Manuel Miranda is, and what wonderful things Hamilton is doing. I’m really looking forward to continuing to get to know you more in the coming year!
Sarah! @sararose244 & romancelvr (on tumblr haha)
SARAH!!!! You also are the first internet friend I’ve met in person, and it was absolutely one of the highlights of this year. I am forever surprised at the way people come into my life who become special to me, and I am so happy that you have become one of those people. You are an incredible encourager at heart. You are just on a mission, all the time, to make people happy and to help them and I really honestly believe that you are going to do that in such a wonderful and incredible way through your life. I love all of our fandom adventures and I am looking forward to our April road trip together.
I guess I’ve known so many people who have talked about meeting someone online who has really changed their life for the better and, while I’ve encountered some amazing online friends and I’m grateful for each and every one of them, you’re one that really makes me understand what those stories are about. Thanks so much for the flailing and the fangirling and just sharing life with me each day. You are such an incredible person and I am grateful for you. *HUGS*
Sarah—You are one the kindest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Kindness and thoughtfulness just radiate from you. Whether it’s a message to ask me if I’m doing okay or treating people to coffee when fandom gets depressing, you’re spreading little bits of sunshine everywhere you go. I love how encouraging you are, and I want you to remember to direct some of that encouraging energy you send our way back to yourself, too. Because you deserve it. You’re articulate and passionate, and I love how much you care about the things and people that matter to you. I’m so happy you’re a part of my life, and I can’t imagine my fandom experience without you at this point.
Sarah! I have loved getting to know you this year. You are such a sweetheart and your good morning messages always make my day a little brighter. Thank you for always taking the time to send me a hug or Starbucks or a thoughtful message. You are truly a wonderful and very special person who we are all better for having in our lives. I love talking with you about OUaT and I’m super looking forward to talking to you about The 100 next month. I’m so happy that I’ve found a new friend in you.
Sarah, you are one of the nicest thoughtful people I have ever met online or IRL! When I start to get cynical about all the hatred and anger on the internet, I just have to look at you to know that there are good people out there that actively try to make people happy with everything they do. I am so honored that you are willing to share some of your positive energy with me when I am having a bad day, in addition to sharing the joy when i am having a good one!
Mark
I’m always so happy to see you around here Mark! One of the things I miss the most about writing about Castle every week is reading your thoughts. I love how open and kind and brave you are when talking about your own personal journey and how that relates to your fandom experiences. And you’re always so thoughtful and articulate. It’s always a good day when you comment on one of my posts.
Mark, we’ve never spoken but I wanted you to know that I always love seeing your comments around here. You have so much love and excitement for the media you consume and such a genuine way of sharing that with us here. Thank you for being a part of this site and embracing what makes it special.
Jennifer Jones (@allaboutswan)
Jennifer! I’m so happy you commented here! I love your tweets and the enthusiasm that comes through in them. I also love that you always try to make me feel better those rare times when I’m not feeling as positively as usual. I remember the one time I had an Ask NGN on Twitter and you asked such great and fun questions! I also cannot thank you enough for your support of my book. You writing for it is beautiful and so heartfelt. I’m honored you chose to be a part of my little project!
Leah, aka @leahrau on Twitter, soundoftherain on Tumblr
Leah, my Sookie ❤ I'm so happy you're watching The 100 because talking with you about TV and books is so much fun. I love the way you approach them and that you want to talk about them so in depth and look at issues that they bring up. I love your love of Joan Watson and her friendship with Sherlock and your love of Gilmore Girls (which we get to share with new episodes next year!). I love that you still want to talk to me even though I met you in person then fell asleep for the entire plane ride. I love that we can complain to each other when we find ourselves listening to political radio and TV shows that make us grumpy. I love your compassion and empathy for people and the world as a whole and that you believe so strongly that we can and should be better. You are a wonderful person to know and to share media with and I'm so happy you're my friend.
Leah—I think the best way to describe one of the biggest reasons why I love is you sat next to me on my first flight in 22 years, and I thought I was going to be terrified but you made me feel so at ease (by watching SportsCenter with me and talking about soccer and football) that it actually didn’t bother me at all. That’s who you are—you’re someone anyone can feel comfortable talking to or just being around. Whether it’s sports or TV or books or movies or theater, I love talking to you about all the passions we share.
If anyone needs to know how thoughtful and nice you are, all they need to know is you brought my sister a Russell Wilson jersey from Seattle, despite never having even met me before, let alone my sister. Neither Amy nor I will ever forget that. I loved how easy it was to talk to you that whole NYC trip—whether it was on the plane, in the hotel room, after First Date, or during our fun breakfasts at the Food Emporium. And it’s still so easy to talk to you—even if now it’s via FaceTime from my couch or texts and tweets. I miss you so much, and I can’t wait to travel with you again (hopefully soon)!
Coral, @storybookcorlee on Tumblr and @adarkduckling on Twitter.
I love this fandom so much and Katie, I absolutely adore your writing and the love you have for multiple fandoms. Always keep a pen in your hand and fight in your heart. You are a darling and I hope to get to know you more!
Coral—You are just the absolute sweetest. I still don’t think I can really put into words how touched and honored I was to see that you dedicated that beautiful fic to me yesterday. No one’s ever done that for me before. You’re such a talented writer who’s so good at capturing and conveying the perfect mood to make a piece really memorable. You have a gift, and we’re so lucky as a fandom that you’ve chosen to share that gift—and your incredibly lovely spirit—with us.
I’ve only really just started to comment on posts on here but I just wanted to say that I have been reading all the beautiful comments above and it’s so nice to see how so many of you have become friends. Long may they continue 🙂 ~ @alomostanangel on here and Twitter (real name Nicola)
Nicola—You are such a sweetheart! I’m so glad you found NGN and are enjoying your time commenting here. I always love reading your comments, and you’re so kind to me on Twitter. It’s been a pleasure having you join our NGN comments section family this season!
Thank you for your kind words Katie and you;re welcome! I’m always hesitant when it comes to commenting/replying as I always think people won’t be interested in reading them, but these last few weeks has proved otherwise. I look forward to joining in more 🙂
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