My Nerdfighter story. Strap in. This is going to be a long one.
In January 2009, I was finishing up college and found Five Awesome Girls on my Internet friend’s fansite for The Monkees (don’t ask me.) I fell in love with Lauren, Kayley, Liane, Hayley, and Kristina. They were just what a lonely, introverted girl like me needed. From there, a video of Lauren‘s led me to John Green. He judged a rap battle of theirs and said she won, and he called her and she was bouncing gleefully in response and I checked him out because he sounded so fun and nice.
Really, I should probably name my first born Ren for this. (We’re probably going to adopt, though. If we ever have kids.)
I saw Hank’s Google Game* video first. Then I started watching their other videos, trying to get a feel for what was happening. I started watching weekly. Then, when I was officially graduated and such, I dove in and watched all their videos from the beginning, January 2007. I was only two years behind. Don’t judge me.
For years (2009-2012) I was quietly a big fan of John and Hank Green. I shared their videos with friends and family, I found the Nerdfighter community as such a comfort and a joy in a difficult time of trying to discover who I was and where I fit in the world. You know, no one talks about how English degrees aren’t really job-catapults. More people should talk about how being an English major is rough. Anyway. It took me years to find a job during this Great Recession time that unfortunately happens seemingly every few years now. I was living with my parents (THANKS, PARENTS!) and applying and volunteering and not seeing much of a future for myself.
Then on January 10th, 2012, John Green brought his Tour De Nerdfighting to Bethesda, MD. He and Hank were there. I went there by myself from Alexandria via long Metro ride (my parents went too, but they waited in the nearby McCormick & Schmick’s bar, to make sure I didn’t get abducted [I was 24 so I would’ve been fine, Mom, geez.]) I nervously went up to the signing table and met John. I asked him if he’d visited D.C. He said he’d only had time to visit a Potbelly. Forgetting how to brain, I blurted, “I volunteer there!!” He smiled kindly at me and I moved on to meet Hank, mentally kicking myself for more or less telling John Freaking Green that I volunteered at a sandwich shop. Hank complimented my friend-made “Mythical Nerdfighter” t-shirt. I thanked Hank “for everything” because it all started with him (and Ren Fairweather, but she wasn’t there.) He added a Hanklerfish with his autograph in my book because of this little detail, and smiled kindly at me too. I tried not to melt into the floor.
While at this event, someone I didn’t know yet named Ivan was handing out little pieces of blue paper with “Join the Nerdfighters of the Greater DC Area!” on them. With a link to a Facebook group. As soon as I was home and done swooning because I’d just met my favorite people, I joined this Facebook group. And they were having an in-person gathering two weeks later!
So on January 28th, 2012, shy little me took the bus and the Metro (I don’t drive) to Old Town Alexandria, which was so close to me that it would’ve been a crime if I’d skipped it, and I found this small circle of nerds doing introductions right inside the Metro station.
One of those nerds, across the circle from where I stood, was the very handsome, dimpled-smile, peridot-eyed, curly-haired guy I married. Luis.
We spent the whole gathering talking to each other and getting to know each other, while also getting to know so many of our other new lifelong friends from the area. These wonderful Nerdfighters had been close to me this whole time, and I wouldn’t have known if John and Hank hadn’t had the Tour de Nerdfighting and I hadn’t been fortunate enough to go.
Since that time, Luis and I helped each other find gainful employment, we moved in together, adopted a dog named Scout and cat named Boo Radley, bought a house, I switched jobs a few times, Scout the dog passed away well-loved and remembered every day, we adopted another cat named Leo Messi… We’ve done a lot together. Every day feels so… magical. It’s not always perfect, but it’s happiness even when it’s hard.
In February, Luis and I will have been officially together for fourteen years.14 years. Started dating on February 14th, 2012. Married on October 14th, 2017. Given a really sweet wedding gift and celebration during John & Hank’s Turtles All The Way Down tour. After all this time, I consider them friends. Not in a creepy, parasocial way. Just in an affectionate, inspired, forever grateful way.
Thank you, John and Hank Green. For everything. And thank Ren Fairweather and the girls, too! 😉
* I’m not linking anything else. Too many links spoil the blog. Is that the saying?
Sara Mazariegos 