And then the image dissolved into this guy.
He was gorgeous, he was different from the "same old same old" type of vampire, he was devastatingly charming. But more than that, he was a little bit lonely, and a little bit sad. And he captured our hearts.
More to the point, Moonlight as a show captured our hearts. And our minds. And our imaginations. The show grabbed us, shook us, and turned on some magical switch in us. We were fascinated, we wanted to know more about these characters, and we absolutely needed to gather with others who understood this amazing experience. We came together online, we wrote stories and created art and had deep conversations about how to fill in missing bits in the narrative. We imagined other characters who might inhabit the Moonlight universe. We created complex and long-running roleplay scenarios. And then we got together at various events and conventions. We donated gallons of blood together. Even after it became painfully obvious that the show wouldn't come back, we kept it alive through fanfic, videos, banners, magazines, and other creative endeavors. We became a community of people who got one another.
That all started ten years ago. TEN!!
A lot has changed over the years. We've had to move from beloved online homes. We've seen our numbers dwindle as people moved on, had kids, finished school, and began following other interests. And we've tragically lost many dear friends who have passed away from this earth. Time causes changes, and losses. Mick and Josef know a lot about loss, and we've all had to learn as well.
On this anniversary, I find myself thinking about endings as well as beginnings. And I'm reminded of the last song we heard on the show, "Love Remains the Same" by Gavin Rossdale. I will never again be able to hear that song without getting a lump in my throat. But it's not only about endings. It's a song about adapting, and loving, and finding hope in the midst of loss.
I never thought that I had any more to give
Pushing me so far
Here I am, without you
Drink, to all that we have lost
Mistakes we have made
Everything will change
But love remains the same.
In ten years, we've lost a lot. But our love for one another and for Moonlight remains. I'm so grateful for all of you, for those I've loved and lost, and for those who are still here. Who could have imagined that we'd still be together ten years on? Well, maybe we should have realized it from the start. The love is that big. It's that strong. And the people we've met because of that love are so very special.
I love all of you.
(And Mick, Josef, Coraline, Logan, Guillermo, Beth, and all the rest.) 
xoxo,
Allegrita
Somebody still loves our Moonlight. ...)
) I mean, it was ok, it worked well enough, but I was never as enamored with it as many folks. But now -- now it means everything. It makes me smile and breaks my heart all at the same time and I can't think of anything more perfect. 
But it's so lovely to know what this show has brought to all of us. 
)
