To all comic-cons,

My name is Casey. I’m 19 years old, and for my entire life, I’ve felt like an outsider. I’ve never had many friends, so I found company in books, TV shows, and movies. The plots captivated me and challenged me to think differently, and the characters felt so real and tangible. People don’t always understand that. I often get, “you know they’re just characters, right?”

But you understand that they aren’t. You understand that these characters and these stories stay with us and become parts of our lives, parts of who we are. These characters are my friends and my family, and I see myself in so many of them. When I feel like I don’t have anyone else, they are always there for me.

You have taught me that this is okay. Not only is it okay, but there also millions of other people like me. There are millions of other people who don’t feel like they fit in anywhere, and you have given us a home. You have given us a place to congregate and celebrate our love for these stories that comfort us and bring us joy.

When I got to college, I felt more alone than I’ve felt in my entire life. As a result, I started to cling to these stories and characters more than I ever had before. I didn’t have friends to go out with, so I stayed in my dorm and watched Star Wars or X-Files. Those things gave me happiness and made me feel less alone, but when I saw that everyone else my age was out having fun, I felt like such a loser and I just wanted to collapse in on myself.

Then I went to my first comic-con. And I cannot explain in words how ecstatic I was when I saw how many other thousands of people there were who were just like me. All around me were people in immaculately detailed costumes commemorating their favorite pop culture characters and the passion was infectious. That day was the day I found my home.

Because of you, I have learned to embrace and love this nerdy, geeky part of myself. I always thought that being a nerd was something to be ashamed of, but since going to my first con I have learned that there is no better lifestyle than the nerd life. This community is so passionate, accepting, understanding, and energetic. I have never been surrounded by as much positivity and love than I have when I’m at a con.

Thank you for giving me a place to express myself and embrace every moment of it. You have given me the chance to meet some of the most incredible people I have ever known and that is something I cannot thank you enough for. I not only get to meet my favorite actors and childhood heroes, but I get to know so many inspiring, unique individuals who share the same passions that I do. Thank you for giving people like me a safe space when we don’t seem to fit in anywhere else in the world. Thank you for giving me a home.

See you soon,

Casey