Actively represent what you love

National hobbit day is Sunday, September 22nd, and I am celebrating. I’m not sure how yet. Maybe I will dress like a hobbit, have a Lord of the Rings marathon, make Bilbo and Frodo a birthday cake, or just walk around barefoot.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, just understand I am a Lord of the Rings nerd (and you should be to), and Sept. 22 for my fandom is much like July 31 for you Potterheads. 

Anyway, I didn’t write this opinion just to try to convince you all to become Tolkien fans (though you should be), but as an encouragement to celebrate your fandom for  whatever it is, book, movie or a T.V. show.

The year before I started high school, I was on my way back from an out of state trip with my entire quiz team crammed into a 15 passenger van. 

Somehow Lord of the Rings came up, and the three of us in the seat who barely talked before, began quizzing each other on little known facts from Tolkien’s universe. 

Time in a cramped van has never flown so swiftly. When you discover that a new friend shares your fandom, you suddenly have so much to talk about, bridges are built instantly.  

When I came to Chadron, meeting people who shared my fandoms was a huge encouragement to make friends. 

Not only would they understand my abundance of movie references, but if they were into the same things that I was into, I knew they couldn’t be too scary. Playing Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuits may sound like torture to some of you, but with the right group of friends, it was an evening well spent. 

Don’t be afraid to show your fandoms. Get a t-shirt with your favorite quote, find a pop-socket with your house crest, decorate your laptop with all the decals, visibly show the world that the force is with you and you are with the force.

You never know what kind of community you will find through common fandoms. When I see someone wearing a quote I recognize, even if I don’t have time to talk, it makes me smile when I’m reminded of the things I love. 

Sept. 22 may not be a special day to you, but there is something that you are passionate about. 

Be proud and celebrate it! Have a movie or game night with friends, make the themed food and cosplay as your favorite character for Halloween (I will). Don’t push your fandom on your friends, but also invite them to learn why you love it so much. Be proud representatives of  Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Baker Street, SHIELD or whatever. And if you want to get creamed at LOTR Trivial Pursuits, you just let me know when and where.