Yep! I think I even remember my mom telling me I should read it because it was really interesting.

*laughs* That's great! Yep, our very own Jay wrote it. haha.

I'm now very intrigued... How can I get my hands on that article?

* is laughing * I think Carissa remembers what issue it was better than I, since she recently had to hunt it down again I think. I had a lot of fun with that. Glad some people noticed it. Hahaha.

Thanks for posting the story, Carissa!

*thinks* Well, it was May, and we were 16 when we sent 'em in, which would mean we were turning 17 that year, so... it ought to be May 2007. If my calculations are correct... haha.

You're welcome!

Oh! And Jay did draw the beetle, bytheway.

We haven't got Nature Friend in years and years... it switched hands, I was dubious of change, and so we never renewed it. Thus I missed out on Jay's wonderful participation.

I talked to the new owner several times on the phone, actually, while talking with him about my article. We even talked about his vision for the magazine and how I could help in its future. We are planning to subscribe again, and I am going to get back involved (or I plan to).

The stricture: Go forward into the unknown, instead of back towards death.

Well, you already know why I was not able to post on your Birthday, Jay, so I won’t apologize again. However, I did want to post something. You know I love every opportunity to talk.

So, I join the Rebelution forum, and the first thing I start doing is reading up on members. Practically impossible over there, I know. But certain topics caught my attention, and certain members caught my attention even further. Now, I’m not easily impressed. And people don’t awe me. However, when I stumbled upon this Jay Lauser guy, I was intrigued by his posts. I started doing some research on what areas of the forum he had posted in (stalkerish, I know, but we all know the story has a happy ending ). Turned out he had started a topic on Christian Fantasy writing. Now this guy was right up my alley! I started to read his posts, and found that I agreed with a lot of what he said (another unusual thing). So the two of use began to discuss Christian Fantasy writing and magic, and applicability. After a couple of posts back and forth, he told me to go check out HW. So I did. It took me all about five seconds to join.

So now I’m on this guy’s forum, and I post about 60 posts within the hour, and suddenly people were like “who is this girl, and where did she come from?” Jay and I carried on a few pms, mostly about the blog, which immediately became a pet project for me. I hated seeing that Jay was the only one posting, and I saw that there had been an attempt to encourage other to write posts. So I produced two blog posts, passed them his way, and we talked some more. Now, by this point, I was an HRM, and knew Jay fairly well. He didn’t scare me; in fact, he intrigued me because we were very similar in a lot of things. However, Jay endeared himself to me as a close friend when my brother died. I had to tell Jay, in case people wondered where I went if I disappeared. Jay didn’t tell me it was all going to be okay. He didn’t tell me Samuel was in a better place. He said “I’m so sorry, what can I do to help?” We passed e-mails back and forth for the next few days, and at that point, I knew Jay wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was I. I would throw myself into any project needed. I had found a place where I didn’t always have to be the strong one. I could be weak and needy and not feel like I needed to suck it up.

On a lighter note, you toss into the story that a few weeks later Jay started getting me and another "Kaitlyn" so terrible confused, and the story is quite comical.

Thanks, Jay, for just being you. Honestly, I love HW, but the real thing that drew me here, and cemented me into the woodworks, was that first “serious” e-mail correspondence. I think people tend to forget that Hw is HW because you set the example for the culture. And if you ever try to leave HW, I will do bodily harm to you for your eventual well being.

And ever since that day, you haven’t been able to get me to be quiet since. Thanks for putting up with me.

Didn't wait until the 13th, I see. Anyway, I was 11. I'm better with things like that now. *nod nod* and now I'm very, very, very curious, and wondering if we could subscribe again...

Air: * smiles * I like that story. I am glad my posts on the Rebelution were helpful to people. * kicks self to get back over there * I have never regretted any part of my friendship, and now siblinghood, with you. You are a blessing to me.

Katie: Ahem... no. I will probably reread it during the Read-a-Thon, but I realized I wanted to read it slowly the first time. I am glad I did too. That book is... well I will tell you about it later.

* grins * Yes you are. Well you better subscribe again, 'cause I want to write for it. And you won't want to miss my articles. Haha!

Good thing you don't regret it, cause I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me.

I think I met him for the first time in the chat room.

Many people have, I think.

Facebook.
God bless,
Crushmaster.

I met Sir Emeth in the chat room, too, Emmalina. And I had a big face on when he entered!