To the Members of the Cleveland Cavaliers,

First things first, congratulations on your huge championship win! I am so thrilled that your hard work, dedication, and perseverance has paid off this season. Throughout the year, I watched many games with major anxiety, and you always seemed to pull through with a win, especially in the final series. However, your team has been a larger part of my life than you know. Let me explain.

I have grown up surrounded by the Cleveland Cavaliers from a young age through my competitive baton twirling group. Each year, we were invited to perform at halftime at a single regular-season game. This event was the highlight of each season for me, as I got to see a basketball game and actually step on the same court as the men I typically only saw on television. I remember the thrill of the starting five each game, the fans screaming exuberantly around me, and of course the many t-shirts that were thrown into the crowd. However, as I actually walked onto the court and looked up around me, I was in complete awe of how many people are truly watching each game. I applaud your confidence in that respect.

For many years, I remember our team making the playoffs, and it always seemed to end with a dull loss. The phrase “There’s always next year” echoed around the streets of Cleveland, and basketball season faded away into a distant memory. This season, I again had the same thought process as the playoffs began. “I believe in my team, but I don’t have high expectations” was my mindset, and I figured this would be another repeat as years past. To my surprise, you kept pushing through each game with strength, poise, and confidence. As I sat in friends’ rooms or Quicken Loans watch parties screaming for your victory, I realized this playoff win was very probable, and was going to happen. When you clinched the championship last Sunday, tears rolled silently down my face as I watched my team get the recognition they so deserved.

I admire not only your skills on the court, but also your relationships with each other and the city of Cleveland. Through your Snapchat stories and encouragement to each other throughout the games, I have seen how your group has truly bonded and the love you have for each other. You are always pushing each other to be the best athlete you can be, and I know this mindset is evident off the court as well. While I was unable to attend the parade on Wednesday (I was working) , I watched the stream later with a smile on my face. Your happiness is contagious to the city of Cleveland, and myself and other fans have shown how immensely proud of you we are for this accomplishment. Cleveland is an amazing city, and your win has made it all the better.

While you will probably never see this letter, just know how happy I am for your playoff win and thankful for your presence throughout my life. I wear my Cavaliers gear with confidence, and cannot wait until next year. Celebrate your success, you all definitely deserve it.

Sincerely,

One of Your Biggest Fans