Hello, again [10 years later]

"When I was a young soul, I did some of that soccer kicking. Now I kill people for fun recreationally. It has been a good time." -- Saph, when I asked her what I should write in this thread.

Hi, y’all <3

It’s been 10 years here today, so I thought I’d say hello, again.

I’m going to be nostalgic for a minute, because things were so different back in 2009. I was only 13 when I joined, and I think it’s safe to say that you guys have changed my life in ways I can’t even describe. I was an awkward kid who didn’t know how to use punctuation correctly, and…

Wow, nevermind, I just realized I’m an awkward adult who still doesn’t use punctuation correctly.

That aside, I didn’t know a whole lot about myself when I first joined. And how could I? I was only 13, and I grew up in a small town. My world was so tiny. I was really into soccer, I still lived in Washington, and I spent most of my time reading books like the Hunger Games because I didn’t have friends to spend time with. I was so shy, and this site helped me learn how to overcome that.

Y’all helped me grow and become the person I am today, and I can’t express just how much that means to me. I’ve become a better writer and a better human because of my time here, and I’m still learning and growing every day.

I would tell you all about my favorite moments here, the most notable memories I have, but there have been so many that I think it would be overwhelming. If you want to be nostalgic with me, my inbox/DMs are always open, and I would appreciate that a lot tonight.

Here’s what I love the most about this place: we’ve all grown up together. Looking back through old threads, this place is evidence of our growth, our fun, our laughs, our years.

We’ve lived it all together, and I truly think that joining this site was the best decision I ever made.

I’m running out of time to write this before it’s technically the 24th in this time zone, so let me introduce myself:

I’m Thundy, I’m 23, I’m queer and trans, and I’ve been on this site since January 23rd, 2009. I’m a Cancer, I have a dog named Egg, and I like throwing words haphazardly onto the page. And trying to make people happy.

I’m learning how to be happier myself, and I just want to say:

Y’all make me so happy. I love you all more than I can explain in words.

Here’s to all the years we have ahead.