Thanks for the update, Allyson.

Thanks for everything, Allyson.

Thank you Allyson.

Nilly's home.

sniffle

I think I need a minute.

I'm very afraid that this post is going to sound like I think that Nilly's visit was all about meMeME. Advance apologies if I come across in that way; that is not at all my intention. Bear with me...I just need to be a little schmoopy.

For me, the end of Nilly's trip is the end of the cycle that marked the beginning of my time on this board and, in large part, the reason why I decided to stick around and check it out. I still can't quite believe that that money I sent off to some stranger named Allyson's paypal account back in March has resulted in meeting this wonderful group of people and becoming part of this community.

Just think of the domino effect. I wouldn't have a tiara, or a bath bomb (or have even heard of a store called Lush, for that matter), or a rock from the last beach on the Western coast of the United States, or have a "Uses for Lard" poster on my classroom wall from San Francisco's premium priate store. I wouldn't have gotten lemon bread in the mail during a bad week back in March, and it's probably safe to say I never would have ventured through Penn Station on the eve of the Republican National Convention. I still wouldn't have ever seen a real, live Joshua Tree or a pair of wild bighorn sheep. I wouldn't have a place to crash almost anywhere in the US and a fair number of places elsewhere in the world, and I wouldn't have had hours upon hours of funny, intelligent conversations. I would still be able to look at candy necklaces without giggling.

I would be much lonlier.

I know it might sound illogical to attribute all of this to Nilly's visit, but honestly, it was this community's generosity to her the night I delurked that made me stay up all night that night and then made me decide to come back again to see what was going to happen in the next. I had already missed out on all the Buffyverse discussions, save a few wisful months of the end of Angel, and it was only the first night of Wonderfalls; I didn't intend to get involved with another message board. I was busy and wary of invisible friends sucking time out of my offline life.

But...that night was something altogether unique. So I stuck around, and soon Nilly's visit was only one of the many reasons I kept coming back.

So thank you everyone. I feel like I got an incredible gift that night, too.

t /schmoopy, sentimental Kristin

Awww Kristin - that is schmoopy and sentimental and WONDERFUL.

I'm thankful to all who had any part in bringing Nilly here - whether it was organizing, contributing, or just encouraging.

The kindness of buffistas has helped me step out of my uber-shy mode and actually get out to meet my invisible friends.

That's very sweet Kristin. But, you know, you've been a gift to us as well.

That's very sweet Kristin. But, you know, you've been a gift to us as well.

I second this schmoopy emotion.

I second this schmoopy emotion.

And now I'm earwormed.

That's very sweet Kristin. But, you know, you've been a gift to us as well.

Yep, a real stroke of luck that was for the community too.

Earwormed with good schmoop I can deal with.

group hug!

Kristin, that was really lovely. Buffistas have made my life much richer, too, and I'm grateful to count the people here as my friends.