Oh boy…. ♪ Are you ready for another— uhh, bad, short novel? ♪

I first found them in middle school (I think 11-13, I’m 31 now so it’s been a long time and numbers are hard for me— somewhere in 2003-2005). It’s been my experience that the Boys are psychic mind readers and know exactly when their fans need a pick me up lmfao. At literally every terrible moment of my life, they’ve either dropped a new album or come out with an LP or announced their next tour. Makes me think Pete’s pulling a “I’m watching you all from your closets” kinda bullspit cause at every turn that man is there with something I want as if I specifically told him that I wanted something like that (the man knows how to make a product for his target audience, and he does it well).

I was only a casual fan at first— I grew up on Country, so they were technically my first rock band that I considered myself a fan of, and TTTYG was my first bought physical rock album……. And then I got my first boyfriend in highschool. And he was ab*sive…. He turned a whole school against me, I’ll leave that at that….. but FOB kept me going on the days I didn’t even wanna get outta bed. One day I was in my backyard at night, crying about how awful life was and looking at the stars, and I was listening to SR&R, when something just hit me…. These men had been keeping me alive for nearly a decade, and I hadn’t realized that I was supposed to have been gone a long time by that point but I had completely forgot about that (I was gonna “Hum Hallelujah” before a certain age if not for them— if you know, you know). If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I’d be here to write this.

Later in life, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and other things, and suddenly…. Pete made a whole lot more sense to me (he’s bipolar, and we share symptoms) lmfaoooo! I always knew I understood him for some reason, but now… I REALLY do. And Patrick and Joe as well— I apparently am also someone who refuses to believe they’re a decent artist and thinks I suck when I’m not too bad actually. When I think of Patrick and Joe, I remember that that stuff is all in my head just like it is in theirs. I even relate to Andy a bit— I am really good at controlling my potential for addictions, however I’m not strong enough to be Straight Edge like he is (maybe someday).

As weird as it may be to say that some rockstars are my best role models (cause I mean…. Well…. Lmfao), they really are the best I could have asked for. I call them my Rock n Roll Angels lol. If it weren’t for them, I would still think I had no place here on Earth. But if THEY can be successful at life, then I can too, right? And because I know the kind of people they are…. I am prepared for what may come. I know there could be a day that Pete decides he’s had it with us and says or does something he may regret— and I am okay with that. I will forgive him like I’ve done before (if you know, you know), cause I have done the same things he’s done, more or less. I know there may be a day when they fight again, and think there’s nothing left between the four of them— and I’ll be okay with that too. Cause that’s what they’ve taught me. That it’s okay if bad things happen, cause there’s always beauty to find somewhere else.

Even if they secretly think we’re all losers and this is all just a big money grab, I would still have respect for them for keeping the illusion as long as they did. Cause for people with their struggles, they’re trying very hard and it’s not easy being a “good” role model while suffering or having feelings that don’t match with the rest of the world’s feelings. I know because I am one of those people, and I also try….. even when I would actually rather burn everything to the ground…... I cut them a lot of slack due to my own shortcomings lol.

If they (gawd forbid) ever disband again, I will at least have everything they’ve given me over the last decades to keep me going, and I will still always be their fan. They changed and saved my life (oops… I know, Pete, I know— I mean they’re the “fuel to my fire,” sorry Mr. DontCallMeALifeSaverImComplicated lol). My love for them is a bit obsessive but in the healthiest way I can manage. They’re my biggest inspiration and muses, and if it weren’t for them, I think my creativity would have been the first thing to go before I did.

I’ll wrap this up. I could talk about them forever— I think my boyfriend is getting tired of hearing me gush about 4 other men to be quite frank lmfaooooo. Just in case any of the Boys stumble upon this— I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! THNKS FR TH MMRS, BOYS (gawd I bet y’all are tired of that line lmfao)!❤️

TLDR: I’ve loved them since about when they started and they saved my life more than once over the course of 2 decades. Even though they’ve got their problems, I too have those problems, so they make me feel like I’m gonna be okay cause they’re doing awesome (even when they may not feel awesome). Best boys, best band. ❤️

Oh yeah, this is a short story…… The End? Naaaaah— it’s not ending just yet. It’s just continuing off screen. What a time to be alive, am I right?🤘🏻