Dalton, Brady, Clayton and Drew:
You have no idea what you’ve done to me. You are just four boys from Carmel who wanted to play in a band, but to me you are far more. I remember that 15-year-old girl who was socially inept, horrifically awkward and turned bright red anytime someone talked to her. That was me, only four years ago. My god, that girl was weird. I also remember scrolling through Facebook and finding a video of a guy, Brady, hating on eighth graders pretty hardcore. As a high school freshman I thought it was hilarious and I watched more. My Life in Color was just the beginning of it all.
One shameless plug after another and I finally picked up interest in this band Brady Szuhaj kept going on about. “Dedicated to Deadlines”, that’s when I found my favorite band. I was immediately obsessed. It consumed me. I had always liked Pop-Punk music, but this was exactly what I needed at 15. I needed LNR more than I could ever know.
I went to see Late Nite Reading for the first time in May 2012 at the Underground in Cincinnati. I was a mess. It was hot, I didn’t do my hair, I was horrifically dressed and you boys did not care a lick. This was such an amazing night. I say that, but I spent the night standing in the back of the crowd hoping no one would notice me, but it was my first concert and it was to see my favorite band. Once the set was over, there was a meet and greet as usual and I had to. I had to meet these four guys who I idolized so much.
I had to wait in this ridiculous line to meet four of my favorite people on the whole planet. That first picture was horrible.You guys were sweaty and exhausted, but I looked at you four like I’d never seen anything so wonderful in all my life. That was the first time I meet Late Nite Reading.
I returned to see Late Nite Reading August 25, 2012 and this time I had my best friend. I was still awkward as all can be, but those three months helped a little. She pushed me toward the front of the crowd and convinced Brady to kiss my cheek for my 16th birthday which had been that Wednesday before. This time was better.
As time went on, and I stopped being such a socially-awkward high-schooler, I met so many people through the band. The LNR Moms: Cassie, Brittany, April, Xio, Logan and Rachel welcomed me with open arms. I met Kayla, Jess, Shea and so many more. There are still people I know and I talk to because of this band.
I saw you guys again in January 2013 and October 2013. You guys kept changing your sound, you kept growing, you kept getting better and made me fall in love so much more. 
I had been watching you guys for four years. Terrific music coming from amazing people was all I could ask for. But then things started to change. Drew moved to Nashville, but that didn’t stop anything. “Ecstasy” was an amazing album and remains a soundtrack for my summer. New merch kept coming and you guys just kept getting better.
I should have known all things have to come to an end. Brady went to LA for a side project, but it was not the end of Late Nite Reading, at least that was the promise. Looks like things have changed since then. Best Kept Secret is now touring and was even featured in an MTV article. I guess it’s over then.
This was the worst kind of heartbreak, the one you don’t see coming. I expected Late Nite Reading to follow me through college. I went to school to be a music journalist because meeting you four brought me so much joy that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else than sharing those experiences with others. I hoped you guys wouldn’t get too big and famous so that once I graduated I could still get that interview. I don’t see that happening now.
I watch four people grow as both artists, but also as people. Your lyrics spoke to heart and knowing there was another tour, a new single, or an album in the works...anything would get me through when I thought I couldn’t. I changed as a person in this time. I can talk to people of all kinds because I learned to talk to four people who I idolized like they were my best friends. You four changed my life.
You are still young and still have so much you can do musically. I know how amazingly talented you all are, but my heart is broken. There’s no more new music, no more upcoming tours, nothing new to look forward to. I have nothing left but what happened before. I am so grateful for you guys and the impact you’ve had on my life, but I wish it could have lasted a little bit longer.
Thank you for helping me grow, showing me my passion in life and making me feel like I belong somewhere. No this is not a book club; these were four people who mean more to me than what I can ever express. If anyone of you are ever in Columbus, OH, I’d love to do an interview. Thank you for all that you gave me. I can never say thank you enough for all that you’ve done for me. I am eternally grateful, even if the band did break up.
Sincerely,
A Forever Fan
