*Insert something smart and witty*

Back to the Future helped me get through the hardest month of my life ten years ago.

Love, Simon made me feel more comfortable with aspects of my identity…

Which I now embrace through a love for chick flicks.

“Veronica Mars” helped me get through high school…

And “Doctor Who” helped get me through my first year of college.

I was able to bond with my dad over our mutual appreciation of Coen Brothers movies…

Deadpool gave us a way to properly express how much we hated his cancer…

And “Brooklyn Nine Nine” is helping me deal with his passing.

Zombieland taught me how to laugh again…

And The Imitation Game taught me how to cry.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” provided storytelling which challenged me as a child…

While shows like “Static Shock” opened my eyes to cultures & experiences other than my own.

Bandslam was a movie so close to my life as a 13 year old it felt like I’d written it…

While How to Train Your Dragon showed me that just because I was a weirdo didn’t mean I was alone.

The Book of Life helps me feel more comfortable about death…

And “The Good Place” encourages me to life a full life.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” makes me feel more comfortable about talking about my mental health issues.

Chicago got me through pneumonia.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is a Thanksgiving tradition in our home.

I feel closer to my mom because of Harry Potter…

To my brother because of Lord of the Rings…

And to the rest of my family because of Disney films.

People say, “It’s just a movie,” or, “It’s just a show,” like that’s minimizes it, but it doesn’t.

“Just a movie,” means it is a storytelling device that resonates with people.

“Just a show,” means it is something people can come back to when they need it.

Entertainment, storytelling, and art have the power to inspire people…

To change them, to help them deal with their life…

To connect with others…

And to see themselves represented in ways they never thought they would.

So if something is just that, then I think that’s pretty great.

cause every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man

I’m a bit emotional today. I didn’t watch the livestream, but I got the gist of it today. I saw some you guys’ posts. And as much as it sucked, it didn’t really hit home until Ray Chase tweeted this today: 

I read it and just completely broke down in tears. 

I’ve enjoyed many fandoms in my time, but none of them so deeply impacted my life the way FFXV has. 

Yes, some have inspired and made me cry like FFXV did, but FFXV has been so much more than that for me. 

This game met me in the midst of some of the worst depression I’ve ever had and hurled me headfirst into this fandom that has taught me so so much. Taught me how to love myself. Allowed me to imagine again. Let me self ship my confidence into a place I never knew it could be. Taught me not be ashamed of my sexuality. Taught me some kinky shit I never knew I could be into lol. Taught me to shamelessly and aggressively support other women. Taught me that “other girls” are a beautiful support system and not an enemy. Taught me songs I never knew I liked. Taught me slang and fads and stupid internet stuff I had only observed from far. 

Yeah, life kinda hit me headfirst after finally edging myself out of depression and has made me fall off the super active fandom bandwagon. 

But I couldn’t fathom not staying deeply invested in this fandom. 

  There were DLC’s to look forward to after all…but no. 

Ray made it real. 

It’s done. 

I know this fandom will stay afloat. I’m not saying goodbye. I’ll still be around. But god. I’m so broken up right now. I feel like this fandom didn’t really get its chance, you know? So many fandoms get so many more years of life. 

…maybe another fandom will come along and snatch my edges, but I dunno… 

I fell in love here. I fell in love with Prompto more than I ever had with any other character. He’s so entirely precious to me. My galaxy of sunshine and bad jokes and perseverance. I fell in love with this community and you babes and this support and these dumb jokes and head canons. 

I may keep myself at arms length when it comes to being fully here with you guys, but every second has been so fucking precious. 

Ah. I’m a mess and I’m rambling. 

I’ll still be around guys. Maybe I’ll get my head out of my ass and write some shit when my life calms down in an effort to keep this fandom’s flame alive. Until then, I have a ton of work I have to do. 

This game helped me get through a rough time last year…hell it still picks me up when I’m low even now.

Prompto is the first fictional character I’ve been so invested in, so passionate about. He really blindsided me lol I did not go into this game expecting to fall so in love with a character lol

Like you I’ve grown to like things I didn’t think I would. Learned things I never would have learned. I’ve learned so much about myself. I know some people would say it’s silly to have a fictional character and a game affect you that way but it’s true.

Seeing Ray’s tweet made me sad. Made it really sink in. The VAs have been so wonderful with this community, so active.

I WAS WRONG