5 years in fandom and what it means to me...
So it's been 5 years since I've first said to myself, " I want to be a part of the furry fandom." Boy, was that a sentence that changed my life.
Before I joined the fandom, I really wasn't much of a social person. High school had just started, and it was tough making new friends. Not to mention I was constantly being annoyed and picked on by some punks. After school, I would usually play some pc games or just check out random memes and crap. It wasn't long before I heard about furries. Now I don't exactly remember where I first heard the term, but nonetheless, I was intrigued. I started to look up what furries were, what they did, what they drew and so on. I was immediately fascinated but what I was looking at. Anthropomorphic characters, art, fursuits, and more. It was then, on March 11TH 2010, I decided I wanted to be a part of this fandom.
When I told myself I wanted to be a part of this fandom, I started looking online and on YouTube for things about furries. I came across a bunch of fursuiting videos made by Kijani Lion on YouTube, and was amazed at how nicely the people reacted to him in costume and how he made every child smile. I wanted to know more about Kijani and decided to get into contact with him. I talked to him online and asked him a lot of questions. Like, when did you join the fandom, why, how do I make a "fursona?" He answered my questions and told me all about his fursona. It was then, on the next day, I created "Kato". My fursona.
I continued browsing YouTube for more on furries, and I happen to come across a video. It was titled "Furries in New York. no way!" It was because of this video that I found out that furries hung out in the same park I chill at! So I tried to get into contact with the person who made the video and try to meet with him in person. My first encounter with a furry in person! On my way there, I was just a nervous wreck. I had no idea who this guy was, what he does and so on. But I told myself I had to do this, and I had arrived at his place. I rang the doorbell and the door soon opened. For the first time ever, I've met Frisky and Dream. I was super nervous, because not only was I meeting 1 furry, I was meeting 2! I barely spoke, but both of them helped me realize there was nothing to be nervous about. We hung out got, to know each other more, and we even practiced sword strikes at the park. It was the start of a great friendship.
A couple months later, the NY Furs were holding a furmeet at park just a couple of blocks from where I lived. Knowing it was so close, I had to attend! It was a really great experience. I got to meet a lot of new people who became some of my greatest friends.
2014. Having been part of the fandom for four years, it was time I took the next step in my journey. On July 3rd, 2014, I headed to AnthroCon with the help of Frisky. When I first arrived, I was just awe struck by the number of fursuiters and tail wearing people everywhere. I spent most of the con just relaxing with friends, meeting people in person for the first time, and more. It was a great experience and made me feel glad I decided to join this fandom.
And now, the present. Its been 5 years and I'm still in the fandom, and because of the fandom, I've met some great friends like Frisky, Dream, Jay, Yoko, Nova, and so on. And because of them I've been able to improve upon my self as a person altogether. And for the future, I will continue to keep on improving myself, my drawings, and more. Because without this fandom, without my friends, I wouldn't be the guy I am, or will be. Thank you.