Till We Meet Again.
Dear I:U,
I apologise in advance, because it seems to me that this whole testimonial's going to sound like a huge long rant, and I'm really sorry, huhu, but I gotta get everything out, because it's our last ):
I still remember my first day in I:U like it was just yesterday. I remember talking in the cbox with Miles and Ayyah, and not posting in the 'who are you' thread until a week later, where I got to meet so many wonderful people *O*. I remember the times when we all talked in language that makes us cringe and shudder now, and I remember the very first I:U event I participated in. (I also remember writing very horrendous fics in the past ahaha) And looking back at all this, I realise how much we've all grown since then. Physically, in number, in passion, and in our relationship with each other.
And I know I'm being really selfish when I say this, because I know everyone feels the same way, (I'm not the only overly attached one... right...? Huhuhuhu) but I really don't know what I'll do when I:U closes down. It's just, for me, I:U has been the one respite I've had many a time amidst a whole maelstrom of chaos going on, and it's hard to absorb the fact that in just a few days' time it'll all be gone. (Well, not quite gone, but you know what I mean.)
I:U has been so much to and for me. It has taught me more than just how to write, how to be kinky, perverted and how to 'make landi'. It has taught me what it means to feel like you know someone even when you've never met them. It has taught me that life isn't all about the black and the white, but about all the shades of grey in between. (This is totally not a porn reference okay =))))
I:U has been the creative avenue that's been missing from much of my childhood. The place where you are free to be who you want to be, and the place where people don't force you to do what they want, and the place where people don't judge you for being you. Yes, it's true I don't know you guys in person, and I'm even one of the few members, (well, three, now) who lives in a totally different country from the rest, but that's never stopped I:U from reaching out to me. I really want to thank each and every one of you for continuing to interact with me, befriending and welcoming me even though I could very well be an online predator out for the bodies of pretty young pinoy ladies ; u ; Everything we've had for the past six years has really meant a lot to me. I:U found me when I was at my lowest, and has carried me through the years. I can safely say that a large part of who I am today, (or even the fact that I'm still here) is due to I:U.
Do I have friends outside of I:U? Yes, I do, but it's just something about you guys. I don't know, maybe it's because in our country, all our people care about is academics, and success in life, and there's just so much focus on it that they forget we're only human, but everyone here's different. I just feel so at ease with everyone, and I don't have to be all serious and most of all, I don't have to pretend everything's alright. I:U just brought so much colour and joy to my life that I'd hardly gotten to experience in the real world. And to everyone, you've been the best family I could ever ask for, even more so than my own flesh and blood, and even a long ass message will not be enough to express my gratitude. Actually, no words will ever be enough to.
Even though I've never shared much of my personal life with anyone in I:U, or really actually invested much into being extremely close with any particular member like I know some of you have (or maybe it's just me feeling this way because I still somewhat feel like an outsider sometimes, I don't know OTL), I just want you to know how much every single one of you mean to me, whether I've known you for long, or even just a couple of months, and that just being around the lot of you makes me so happy, that for the moment I just forget about all my problems.
I also want you to know, that if ever you need someone, a shoulder to cry on, a person to wipe away your tears, someone to rant to, or even if you're just bored and want a chat, I'm just always here, waiting.I know it's childish, and silly to hope and wish that we'll always be together, because my brain is telling me that someday, we will all be grown up. Some day, we'll be too busy with work and family. Some day, 'online friends' won't even matter to us anymore. Some day, we'll forget about each other. That the statistics, even though I didn't look them up, for online friends staying together for years isn't very high, and I fear that some day, what we used to have then and now will just fizzle out..
And yet, there is something deep in my heart that dares to hope that some day will never come. Something inside me that dares to hope that we'll always make time for each other. We'll always keep a pocket in our hearts for this family that once was and forever will be. That even in the throes of lovemaking, or in the hustle and bustle of life, and the woes of adulthood, in the decades to come, we will still be messaging each other and keeping in contact, and though unlikely, maybe even still rping with each other, and I want to hold on that hope. I really do.
There's also the fact that I haven't met many of you in person yet. Or actually, aside from Karen I haven't gotten to see any of you in person ; _ ; (Video doesn't count okay, I want to touch you guys all over and feel you-- okay, stopping now, GDI see what I:U has done to me ahahahaha) So, on my part, I'll make sure I keep I:U close to me, even with the forum gone, and I'll try my very best to keep in contact with as many of you as I can ; u ; I... really hope that everyone does too, and maybe some day it will really be possible for all of us to meet together again, but this time, in real life ;)
So, uh yeah, concluding now ahaha. Thank you I:U, and everyone, for everything. This past 6 years have been a fun ride, and hopefully, we'll continue to keep in contact ; u ; Wishing everyone the best of luck to your future endeavours, and may everything you do be blessed. To every one, a successful education, career, family, social life, and what have you. Here's to the day we meet again <3. I love you, I:U. And everyone who is and has been a part of you. See you soon :) Cheers!
With love,
Karu