Dear Jack/Seán:
I wish I could start this off by saying I'm a long time fan, but I'll be honest, I'm pretty new to your channel. As many of my dear friends know I have an obsession with all things Ireland (especially since I studied abroad there last year and absolutely fell in love with it - but I digress) so it's no surprise I was drawn to you!
I don't even remember how I ended up on your channel, all I know is that I had been having a couple really tough weeks. My depression was coming back with a vengeance and I was only recently restarting my counseling sessions and antidepressants - it was rough! So, I somehow ended up on one of your videos and I couldn't stop laughing!
You are so genuine, and it was refreshing to watch you because it felt like you were so real - like a friend I'd known all my life. I've been binging your videos and it's been a wild ride! It takes a lot to get more than a chuckle out of me, but your videos make me (actually) laugh out loud - like, seriously, I think my floormates are starting to get annoyed.
You're not afraid to be emotional and seeing you cry in your videos breaks my heart. Seeing you get so immersed in the games' stories is so amazing because it makes you so real to us. Your heartbreak for Charlotte in "Presentale Liberty," your joy at Sugar Plumps return in "Little Inferno," and your genuine sorrow and vulnerability in "That Dragon, Cancer" I think, are a part of what draws us all to you.
It's this genuineness, this openness that I like so much in you. It's being able to see that you are a real person and not some character created to entertain us. It's doing exactly what you've said many times you want to do - make it feel like you're our friend and we're just here, hanging with you, watching you play games.
I love how energetic, positive, and loud you are (don't worry, I get told I'm loud all the time too - it's a weird Puerto Rican thing). I just can't watch your videos without feeling happy and energetic myself. Your sense of humour is right up my alley and your commitment to your channel is impressive.
However, the 2 things I've seen in you that I love most are how you tackle the "big, scary, taboo" topics and how kind/grateful/amazing you are to your subscribers. In games like "The Static Speaks My Name," "The Beginner's Guide," "Anxiety Attack," and "Gone In November," you've spoken up about depression, self-harm, and suicide. While you've told us you haven't been in that place yourself, I love that you take the time to pause while you play or to reflect afterwards on the experiences and to remind us all we're loved and that there are options.
I also love your relationship with us. I love seeing you open up gifts and be so overjoyed with all the wonderful things people make you or buy for you. I love watching you play games people have made for you (like the "Happy Wheels" levels, "Jackventure," the "Jacksepticeye Game," "Jack to the Future," "Jacksepticeye's Paradox," and the "Jacksepticeye 1 Million Sub YouTube Party Massacre" games) and just be blown away by the fact that someone made games for you.
I love seeing you read comments and look at fan art, and letters, and messages and talk about how it warms your heart. I love asking us not to thank you for what you do and for thanking us for the support. I think it's these moments, which ironically should probably feel more like you're the "internet celebrity" and we're just "fans" (I know, you hate the terms), that really bring us closer to you. You don't feel like other YouTubers who just give generic thank yous. You remember who gave you what, you make sure to give shout out, and you let us all know how much you care.
I'm not the biggest gamer and I haven't been long at your channel, but I sure do plan to stay. I want to say thank you, even though you'll probably say I don't have to. I want to say thank you because I know I'm not alone in feeling less lonely and being comforted by your channel. I want to thank you for give us a piece of yourself and for being devoted year after year and day after day to us.
I only hope the best things keep coming your way. I hope your channel keeps growing and I know you'll welcome each and every one of us with your characteristic "Top of the morning to you laddies." Thank you for putting a smile on my face when things were looking bleak and hopeless.
Jack, you are such an example of good work, commitment, dedication, and drive. I have nothing but respect for you and what you do. You care so much about us and we care about you. Thank you for being genuine, for making us laugh, for being ridiculous, and, of course, for being the biggest, best Boss ever!
FROM your new friend,
Sugar PLUMPS (juuuuust kidding - María)
Also, for those of you who don't know this channel - check it out here!:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzPXprvl5Y-Sf0g4vX-m6g
