It's the sound of waves crashing into the beach in the distance. It's your mother singing you a lullaby when you've had a nightmare and can't fall back asleep. It's your best friends laugh, the one that they hate but always makes you smile when you hear it. It's the sound of your dad coming home after a long day of work and taking off his boots at the front door. It's the sound of the door slamming when the love of your life walks out on you, taking your heart with them, only to return moments later with flowers and an apology. It's whispered words, secret and meaningful. It's music like no other that you've heard before. It is hope. Everywhere you hear her, you hear the sound of hope. You hear it in the people her thief has come to save. You hear it in his voice when he sees the wonders of the universe. You hear it at night in your dreams and you pray to hear it during your waking hours, finally coming to take you away. You hear it in your very soul on the days that you need her the most. That is her sound, the most wonderful sound in the universe: the song of the TARDIS.
When the first note hits your ears you feel the swell of magic in your veins. The promise of adventure lies within the ethereal music. Fantastical lands and incredible people are just on the other side of the faded wooden door. You long for that adventure, for the feel of adrenaline in your veins as you run off, exploring new worlds, and evading new dangers. You long for the feel of a too warm hand in yours, it's double heartbeat pounding in time with your own. You long for the sound of your heavy breath in your ear and the laughter that follows a dangerous adventure. You long to hear the whirring of the engines as they rocket you through time and space forever and ever, always a new place to see, a new person to meet, a new experience to experience.
You long for that sense of belonging. Of importance.
Because it's so much more than a simple sound, that song of the TARDIS. It's hope and promise of a world that exists where you are the hero, where you can be anything, where anyone can be anything. It's adventure and magic and dreams all wrapped up in faded blue wood and warm flashing lights and an outstretched hand offering you all of time and space, if you just reach out and take it.
But, I suppose, that is how it will remain. A hope. A dream. Because that way, it can be a symbol of hope to many and more. Millions of people who look up at night and watch for that blue box, who strain their ears for the sound of it's engines, who close their eyes and imagine. And I suppose I wouldn't be here writing this if I didn't hold that hope in my heart every bit as much as you did.
But between you and me. It is real. He is real. And no I don't mean in a metaphorical "in all our hearts" way. I mean, he's up there, exploring, just as he's always been I imagine. He really does fly around in that magic blue box and he really does live a fantastical adventure. And who knows? Maybe you'll be next. It could be that you already have been, and you don't remember, or perhaps it will happen any day now. But just know that it is as fantastic and incredible as they say. Know that when your time comes, there will be danger, and adventure, and heartbreak. Know that you'll see things beyond your wildest imaginings.
Know that one day, you'll have to leave it behind.
And know that that sound- that beautiful, glorious, sound- will haunt your dreams forever.
~Amelia Pond