Nas

Besides the premiere for this final season, I don't remember the last time I made a post in an episode thread. Though fitting, since this was the last episode ever before the finale, and the last morning premiere. Other than the episode itself, which I did enjoy a good bit, I can't stop thinking about this. The instant I saw this after the premiere (it was a background event that I missed so I had to first catch it when people were posting about it after), I about damn near cried. Way back in the beginning of my time obsessed with this show in 2012, Lyra- as well as Minuette and Berry Punch- were my favorite BG horses. Even had all 3 of them on a signature early on. 7 years later, after many years of being into pony, then out of pony, then sorta into pony again, this happens. Not only is a secondary proposal going on alongside the first one, one of the fandom's biggest ships from over the years was made canon, not to mention a gay couple is confirmed for the show (makes sense to including in a show like this, and it's perfectly subtle)! Quite a lot to take from this little scene, and for a little background event (that foreshadowed the ending of the episode, at that), it surely is huge. What an awesome thing to pull towards the end of the final regular episode of the show, all of the stuff I just mentioned really show how far the show has gotten over the decade. Background events are usually unimportant, and casual stuff going on amidst crazy stuff like the apple invasion are usually played for laughs, but this was both important and sweetly heartwarming, and really satisfying to see at the end of this show's incredible run. After all this time, one of the ponies that stole my heart when I was first watching the show back in 2012 ends up getting canonically, genuinely married. I never would have believed it if you told me that back then, but I wouldn't have believed a good number of incredible things that has happened in the show and fandom since then. This moment in particular fills my 2012 self with joy and tears, and I'll never stop being giddy that it's real. They're really pulling out all the stops towards the end in this and many other ways. The big journey ends this week, I can't believe it. But I'm going to enjoy every single last bit of it.

Short guy on the front row loaded with badges and buttons and the green scarf and cap over here. Dang, is this ever a pleasantly unexpected allusion to the impromptu banner this place had during BC 2013; the MLP Forum peeps were taking a photo like this one, and just a few minutes after taking it did we realize M.A. Larson photobombed it, which inspired the sudden banner change! Good damn times. Much like the con itself, this picture, and the fact that it's being used as the banner, is a very satisfying bookend to many of our experiences dabbling in ponies. What a near perfect weekend it was.

Oh, is it too late to still get one, even if we were there? ^^; EDIT: Somehow didn't notice until I literally made this post, whoops!

This image made me tear up for like the 10th time that I have this weekend, very moving. Any chance you remember the name of the artist for that drawing? I'd love a print like that.

I'm happy to say that I'm going to be at my first BronyCon since 2015, for multiple reasons. My first BronyCon in 2013, and the show itself, have kickstarted my foray into online communities like nothing else had done before or ever since, acquiring numerous priceless things like friends and memories, delving into things like art and conventions that helped me feel more comfy and established in the communities I thrive in and enjoy now. My first BronyCon was my first convention ever, and my first of many times of seeing my online friends in person. It was last second, rough, and brief, but the feeling of seeing my online friends and interacting with them in the flesh changed my life, and that first time taught me a lot about how to improve my subsequent trips to conventions. I owe way too much of my friends and memorable moments these past seven years to the show, and I'd personally have been upset if I didn't go to the final one of these events, to personally make that final big memory during the show's run, other than the finale itself. This last time I will not be going with as many friends as in the past, but I do plan to make this trip one of reminiscence, to remember all the great times I had in the three Bronycons I'd gone to in the past, and to try to rekindle the indescribable joy I was introduced to with my first BronyCon. I don't know how many of my old friends are going, or people that I've known in this fandom but never saw at a con, but I'd love to see each and every one of them and make the most out of this final big meeting, and I wish everyone that strives to keep going to others around the country/world and keep making memories can do so with ease.