About a year ago, I began my first con experience. Now I've returned from my latest adventure in the same place where it began—Midwest FurFest. So much can change in a year, from the people you know, to the way you view things. MFF this year felt like a completely different convention that last time. I am no longer the new face in the fandom, and I realize that there are people here who look to me the same way I looked up to my friends last year.
This con was particularly significant in that it was a culmination of every other convention that I've attended. By that, I mean my friends I made at each previous location would all be there (Milwaukee, Australia, Pittsburgh). I'm very happy to be able to spend time with my suitmaker  Lazylupe, who came all the way over from Australia, and the other LupeSuiters. At the very core, I owe all my experiences in this fandom to her. My suit family are some of the sweetest people I know and the best of my friends.
There's no con like the first con. The level of surrealism fades as you become more immersed in the experience. That's not to say they get more boring—you just end up doing different things as time goes on. I find that I enjoy the company of my friends in the quiet of my room more than attending some of the events now. Still, I urge all first-timers to take the experience at its fullest, because you can only have your first con once.
MFF, it's been an amazing time as it was a year ago. I'm sad to say it's over, but I'm always looking forwards to the next adventure.