Its hard to believe that my journey with Harry Potter started almost 17 years ago to the day. I remember so clearly unwrapping one of my Christmas presents from my parents and having a paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone appear in my hands. I had friends who were reading the series and absolutely loved it, but 7 and half year old me was skeptical. How amazing could a book about a boy wizard who lives in a cupboard under the stairs really be? Little did I realize that that one little book would change my life and still be with me in the many years to come.

Harry Potter is my favorite series. I've had a lot of favorite series throughout my life and I've slowly but surely outgrown 90% of them. The Mary-Kate and Ashley books - outgrown. The Babysitters Club books - outgrown. The Boxcar Kids series - also outgrown. Harry Potter - still an active part of my life.

I can't even begin to explain the impact Harry Potter has had on my life. Harry has been with me through everything: my parents divorce, my high school years, my first semester away at college, my mom's cancer diagnosis, my move to Georgia, my mom's death, my second semester away at school, and every day in between. I owe Harry, and J.K. Rowling of course, for my most peaceful moments amidst the storms of my life. I owe Harry and Queen Rowling for the (rare) stability during the depths of my bipolar episodes. Harry Potter has shaped who I am as a person and I would could outgrow it even if I tried. And I have tried. At one point in my college career, I caved to peer opinion and tried to leave the wizarding world behind me. It was one of the worst identity mistakes I ever made.

Much like Rizzoli and Isles brings me stability and hope on a visual platform, Harry Potter brings me stability and hope in mental images, in memories and in familiarity. Each time I (re)read the books, I discover something new. I learn more about myself. I've learned that, like Harry, I know the pain of loss - loss of a parent and of a family - and I know the joy of finding another family. Like Ron, I know what it's like to go without, to have less than others yet to do for others before yourself. Like Hermione, I have a love for books and knowledge and I value those I love above all. Like J.K. Rowling, I have hit rock bottom and I have struggled to come back from places darker than I ever imagined. I have my own bogarts and my dementors that I battle on a regular basis. I also have my loved ones who help me through it all.

Harry Potter is part of who I am, part of my home and I am so glad to have a (fictional) home that not only follows my wherever I go, but also accepts me as I am, dementors, wrackspurts, and all.