So I’m sitting here in my Vader socks (the ones with the little capes on the back) and my ancient Empire Strikes Back t-shirt that’s barely holding together, thinking about what Star Wars has meant to me over the years.
Not just the movies. The whole damn universe, the fandom, the arguments about whether Han shot first (he did), and that weird period where we all pretended the prequels didn’t exist before eventually embracing them like the problematic family members they are.
(Just kidding about having Vader socks and my old Empire Strikes Back t-shirt, but I needed to give you that visual. They got lost into the aether many years ago but I do still think about them and I really need to get them again)
But when it comes to this thing. Finding something to love this intensely? It’s not just for fun. It’s necessary.
We all need our Star Wars. Or our Marvel. Or stamp collecting. Or whatever weird niche thing makes your heart beat faster when you talk about it for too long at parties. The thing that makes people say “wow, you’re REALLY into that, huh?”
(Translation: please stop talking about lightsaber physics.)
Because these fandoms save us from ourselves.
Remember when I went through that apocalyptically bad breakup in 2019? Who pulled me through? Not therapy (though that helped eventually) It was the Star Wars marathon weekend at mates place where we argued about Kylo Ren’s redemption arc until 5AM. It was the Discord server where strangers became friends because we all collectively lost our minds over The Mandalorian.
Community is everything. It’s oxygen, it’s connection, it’s belonging. Even when that community is arguing about whether Rey’s character development was butchered in Rise of Skywalker (it was)
I’ve seen this pattern everywhere.
Someone falls in love with something, anything and suddenly they’re not alone anymore.
They’re part of something bigger. They have people who get their references, who speak their language.
Who understand why they cried when Luke showed up in The Mandalorian (I’m not crying, you’re crying)
So today.
This holiest of nerd holidays. I hope you’re indulging in whatever fandom lights you up. Whether it’s Star Wars or something else entirely. These passions are lifelines we need to hang onto.
I’m off to rewatch Rogue One for the 87th time and pretend I won’t sob uncontrollably at the ending.
The Force will be with you. Always.
Stephen Walker
P.S. If you tell anyone I got emotional writing this email, I’ll deny it harder than George Lucas denies the existence of the Star Wars Holiday Special.