When fandoms say their fandom is real we do not mean we believe they happened somewhere we can go.

We do not mean we believe in Narnia or Greek Gods, we do not expect to find a hidden country somewhere.

We mean the lessons we learned, the bonds we developed, the heartache and joy we felt, those are real.

When we say they will never die, we do not mean we are expecting another book or a next episode.

We mean that when we have children and grand children we will tell them the stories of a galaxy far far away, the one ring, and 221b Bakers Street and hope they learn the same lessons we did.

When we say we believe in the magic, we do not mean wands and broom sticks, or angels in trench coats. We do not want to kill vampires, or ride dragons.

We mean the love that we feel toward everyone, that nobody is insignificant.

We mean the power to believe in yourself, even if the odds were never in your favor. And if you don't, then you have a family and a faction to believe for you.

That you are beautiful no matter what, that you can be whoever you want and know it's ok.

When we say that our fandoms are real. We are not delusional. We do not mean what you think.

We mean to us, they are true. They are our hope and dreams. They are real.

They always were and always are.