An Ode to the J/C fandom that raised me.
I was 21 when I logged on to the message board that would become my online home for the following three years and which still feels like home when I think about it.
The year was 2006.
Fandom Elders, welcomed me, taught me lore, encouraged my fledgling writing. Loved me as a person, wrapped me up in their support and care. Both as a fellow fan and an eventual fandom experience equal. Some even took me in to their real lives as a pseudo niece, sister, cousin.
Fellow newbies and I became friends or at least acquaintances, We celebrated each other's writing growth, cheered when each other got good feedback, especially when it was from writers we admired. Shared thories and perspectives, sometimes different from those of the elders
All fandom generations talked fandom news and current events togther. Small groups, chatted and ate dinners together over Skype and watched movies. We said goodnight to each other before bed in threads as a whole board ,
We celebrated birthdays and it was always fun to see which friend posted your birthday thread and who commented after saying they had wanted to do it. And it was fun to be the friend who posted your friend's birthday thread when it was their turn.
There were fic exchanges , run at a professional level, by fans for each other. And there was also the reality that we all knew each other well enough that we could guess who our match was most of the time.
There were fights, there were squabbles, there were sad times.
But we were a family, they still are famiy in my heart, all those people. They will always be, no matter how often we speak now, and though I have lost touch with some, if they reached out today, I would drop everything to connect or to help.
A couple of characters who love each other and love the stars brought me a extra home. And the fandom manners and skills that I have today.
My J/C fandom home was magical and I hope the light and love they showed me continues to shine in me and in all those who were part of it.
And I hope any fan that loves anything finds the treasure that I did when they go looking for their community.
