Dear Patrick,

 Dear Patrick,

Today I read this:
"I hate disappointing people. That's why I never want to interact with my heroes. I don't want to know what they're really like. I want them to be my idealized version of them. When I know that I've ruined myself for somebody, that's like the worst thing in the world for me." -P. V. Stump

It made my eyes sweat. I've told this story a hundred times, and when asked - "Who are your idols?" I refer to you and your compadre numero uno. This story held true in my life for a number of years now. I stood in front of you and screamed every word to every song. I danced, I cried, I experienced some of the best moments of my life because you decided to pick up a guitar, yet, I never wanted to know more than what I saw on that stage or what you let me see in the public eye. I grew up falling in love with music and now I work in the music industry. I cannot tell you how many times I've had my heart broken by one pompous, arrogant musician after another. Most people are in this for themselves, and themselves only. You always hope to find that band that truly loves their lifelines as much as their fans love them. Sometimes you take chances. Sometimes your friends put you in situations that you never had the courage to face yourself...and before you have time to say no, your hero is standing right there in front of your smiling at you and you either run away and keep hiding and protecting your heart or you suck it up and let it happen. Sometimes being foreced into a taking a chance pays off. Once in awhile, you realize that there are genuine people in this world, and sometimes those people happen to be the heroes you fell in love with, not knowing if any of it was real or just a marketing ploy. You were one of a very small handful that not only spared me a broken heart, but helped it beat a little harder after so many disappointments.

I have given the same speech that you gave so many times before, with you being the reason that I gave it, and I will attest that you can now stand on your pedestal, only supported by your own genuinity. If I didn't take these chances, I'd probably be taking pills.

xo,
Jade