I'll admit it, I was a total Potter nerd as a child. But honestly, it's one of those things that one doesn't just grow out of, especially because of the way that the novels and movies changed our lives. So here's to you, J.K. Rowling: a personal love letter to the HP novels and thank you for producing such brilliant and beautiful pieces of literature.
1. The culture and incredible fan-base that followed Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling didn't just create a huge worldwide fan-base, she created a culture of people who wanted to know everything they possibly could about the Potter world. From music, to costumes, to art, and even to an entire theme park based around her imaginative world of magic, Potter culture became something so relevant in the world.
2. The beautiful friends and relationships that you cultivated from reading the books.
"You like Harry Potter?" "Of course!" BOOM. New best friends.
3. The unbelievably eloquent quotes that not only related to you on a scary deep level, but also helped you through the toughest times.
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
"We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."
"It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be."
"Don't let the Muggles get you down."
4. The tears.
Sometimes you needed to drown out the sorrows of your life with the world of magic. Maybe you needed to relate to someone else who was also going through a hard time. Or maybe you just needed a good cry. Either way, Harry Potter was always there for you.
5. The urge to want to discover more and more literature, and the yearning to read more as a kid.
Reading wasn't uncool anymore. Reading Harry Potter made you cool and in-the-know. The series paved the way for secret nerds everywhere to open up about how much they loved reading. You wanted to be just as well read as Hermione Granger.
6. The feeling of camaraderie amongst total strangers who had all read Harry Potter.
No matter what you're doing, whether it's showing up to the movie premieres in costume, waiting in line for the next book signing, scouring MuggleNet.com feeds, or finally getting to experience Universal's Harry Potter World, you didn't do it alone. You've made so many connections with those around you who all feel an overwhelming sense of compassion for magic.
7. The fact that the Harry Potter series was able to teach us about absolute and unending love at such a young age.
The characters in the books loved each other so deeply and genuinely, and they did so many things for each other just out of pure love. James and Lily's sacrifice for Harry, The Weasley's parents love for all of their children, and Hermione's purposeful memory wipe of her parents taught me that I should never accept love that doesn't fill me with joy and treat me with absolute respect.
So, thank - you, J.K. Rowling, for your beautiful imagination and for not letting the Muggles ever get you down.
