We were given a name eight years ago. A name that initially appeared straightforward but gradually grew into something much more, a location where innumerable hearts could come together, find solace, and carry on. Stay put. A name that conveys the sense of staying, clinging, and making the decision to be present throughout each chapter. A reminder that we are never really walking alone, even when we stray along strange paths. It seems like we have been climbing with Stray Kids for the past eight years. Not a flawless road. Not a simple one. But a journey full of experiences that moulded us. There were moments when it seemed like there was no end to the distance between where we were and where we wanted to be.
There were moments when we felt like we could only take one more step, that the climb was too high, and that the weight on our shoulders was too much. But in some way, we kept moving because of the music, the memories, and the bond we formed. Stray Kids never taught us that the journey would be easy. Rather, they reminded us that the challenging aspects also serve as evidence of our development. that the wounds, uncertainties, and struggles we face are incorporated into the narrative we are crafting. Millions of people found solace in eight voices at some point during that journey.
To Bang Chan: I want to thank you for being a leader with a strong sense of duty and love. We appreciate you fostering an environment where people feel heard, consistently reassuring STAY of our worth, and demonstrating to us the power of kindness.
To Lee Know: I appreciate your quiet warmth. For the concern that frequently lurks behind your lighthearted remarks and for demonstrating to us that love need not always be loud to be profoundly felt. Thank you for every moment that brought a smile to STAY's face and for serving as a constant reminder that even the smallest actions can convey sincerity.
To Changbin: I appreciate your boundless enthusiasm and unstoppable vitality. We are grateful for your ability to make determination tangible, for demonstrating to us the power of perseverance in the face of adversity, and for always putting your all into everything you do.
To Hyunjin: We appreciate you sharing your feelings and artistic abilities with us. We appreciate how you transformed our emotions into something lovely, demonstrated the value of communication, and reminded STAY that there is beauty in every aspect of who we are, even the aspects we are still discovering.
To Han: I appreciate how your candour, inventiveness, and amazing capacity to make others feel understood have been a source of solace. We appreciate you sharing your vulnerability and light, which serves as a reminder that it's acceptable to be multiple identities at once.
To Felix: I appreciate the warmth you bring wherever you go. I appreciate your kindness, compassion, and ability to make others feel cared for. Many people now find solace in your voice and presence, which serve as a reminder that kindness can make even the most difficult times better.
To Seungmin: I appreciate your sincerity and steady presence. We appreciate how you continue to develop while remaining true to who you are, how your voice comforts us, and how you serve as a reminder that quiet persistence can result in extraordinary things.
To I.N: We appreciate you developing with STAY and letting us follow your path. I appreciate your bravery, your genuineness, and the way you never stop shining in your own colours. You serve as a reminder that every beginning has the capacity to develop into something lovely.
To all the members: I appreciate you picking each other. I appreciate you creating a world where those who are lost can find a place to call home. We are grateful that you provided us with words that became consolation, songs that became memories, and moments that became motivation to keep going. There is more to eight years of STAY than just time passing. It is every hand that extended itself during a trying time. Everyone who discovered a part of themselves in a song. All of the memories made between the stage and the distant hearts. The trip is still ongoing. There will always be new paths, new obstacles to overcome, and new heights to attain.
However, no matter how far we travel, we will never forget where we began. The reason for our stay. The reason we keep moving forward. STAY, happy eighth anniversary. We appreciate you staying with Stray Kids. Thank you for providing us with a reason to stay, Stray Kids.
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