I remember when I discovered X-Files News. I remember the feeling so clearly that I can vividly feel the smell of my office. They had cleaned the floors with some lavender cleaner and someone had burned the coffee in the break room down the hall. That's not quite important right now, but in retrospect, it was probably the most remarkable moment of my life.
It really was, I just didn't know it, yet.
I wasn't lucky enough to be part of the founding team of this website, but I joined shortly after. The long hours that come with working at XFN became second nature; the constant thinking and planning, all the cork and dry erase boards, all the ideas scribbled in napkins, and the heartache and the rewards of being part of a fandom that outweighs any other in enthusiasm, intelligence and ambition.
X-Files News turns five today. According to the Center of Disease Control, if we went to preschool, we should be able to recite the alphabet by now, name colors and numbers and hop on one foot for extended periods of time.
I'm happy to say that we seem to be healthy students. We have excelled at this by practicing our favorite request: "Greenlight XF3." Many of you have joined us in our constant chant for this desire and we're delighted to be in such company.
The CDC adds that by now a five year old would also be prone to have friendships and can tell what's real and what's make believe. As years went by, we've sailed through many ventures. We have grown and learned a lot since we first set ourselves up to be part of this website and this community.
Our initial objective, back when Holly Simon brought XFN to life, was to inform the fans of a movie that had six years in the making. We would then learn the ups and downs that entailed that production; we were excited with every new discovery, and with every new spoiler. We were excited to see Mulder and Scully again.
From informing you the latest news about the X-Files Cast and Crew, to organizing charity campaigns and fan initiatives, Skype files marathons, fan events, we have been part of an ongoing education that always leaves us room to keep wanting more.
Since then, XFN has also reached to other arenas, inspired by the show and the people that feed us with creative energy, and so we dared to come up with XFN Productions - our own production company. Just a small thing that challenges us to dream of other ways to service this fandom but also keep going and exploring this ever changing community.
It is my belief that one of the most important things that this website has allowed us is the opportunity to relate to each of you, finding understanding and support that makes this such a wonderful experience.
I don't think we say it enough, but we would be nothing if it weren't for the very supportive community that we feed from. The X-Philes are the most resilient and intelligent fandom there is, in my humble opinion. I know that every fan community will say this about them, but we have the chops to speak about our road in the fandom universe. We're fans of a show that premiered over nineteen years ago, and instead of dying down, we keep getting stronger.
This is why XFN will be here until we see this through, and we're not alone in this. That's what makes us strong as a fandom, and that's what makes us proud to be part of it.
Along the years organizations such as Big Light, Grupo The X-Files Chile, X-Files Memories, X-Philes in Japan, X-Files Memories, LAX-Files, Akte-X, IBG, X-Files Russia, XFU, Haven, Area 42, Club X-Files Argentina, Club The X-Files Mexico, X-Philanthropy, Back to Frank Black, Beyond The Sea and Aussie X-Files Fans on Facebook have been part of this community's struggle to guarantee our presence.
We've been blessed with the opportunity to count with the support of all of you and even the studio, and the cast and crew of the show. You have been nothing but generous and gracious when it comes to relating to the fans and that's not the norm.
I know there are more of you around the world that have hopped with us in this train along the way, and I apologize in advance for forgetting to mention you, but know that you're present in every plan that we explore, in every email that we read, in every frustration, in every moment of candid happiness.
That's when I realize that we also have learned how to recognize what's true to us. Time might pass, sometimes leaving us tired and breathless, even making us lose hope, but the resistance to let go will always be there. That proves to me that the people that share our beliefs are in this for the right reasons, and this doesn't come lightly. You folks are here because you've learned that this show is not just another empty hour of entertainment in the programming of a network, but it's been the school to many of you that have dared to dream beyond it.
Many of you have become scientists, artists, writers, law enforcement agents, directors, producers, researchers, philosophers, to just quote a few. In a nutshell, all of you became truth seekers on your own realm, because you were inspired in part by the dream of someone that dared to believe in something that seemed intangible once, and now is part of this world's cultural footprint.
I will be forever grateful of the people that have joined our venture within our ranks. The time spent in this little hobby of ours comes with great sacrifice and we often forget that it comes with a price, mainly because we've learned that the amount of satisfaction that this gives us could not be rewarded with money. In hindsight, I think if we were paid to do this it probably wouldn't hold the same value that it does.
So to our body of reporters, editors and general staff around the world, that disregard time zones and sleep patterns, bills and time apart from your families, I wish there was a bigger word I could use to recognize your tireless commitment to XFN and the phile nation. A THANK YOU will have to suffice for now.
I hope that this milestone will mark the beginning of many projects that are still to come to fruition; and there are many on our list, especially that little one known as XF3. 2012 might have sneaked up on us, it might have shown up before we even noticed, but it doesn't mean in any way that is a sign to quit this fight.
One of the things that sometimes go unnoticed or forgotten is that each and every one of us at XFN is still a fan at heart. One of those people that will pop in Fight The Future, recite the lines and smile when we see our heroes fight the good fight. Each of us is as excited as any of you. Don't forget that. Our hearts leap and race every time we relish on the memories and the possibility of more X-Files to come. So to quote that man that always inspires us, "Don't give up!" because we won't.
Happy 5th anniversary to my XFN family, wherever you are and whenever you are; I'm proud to lead this team of fighters, and honored to be among you. You have made me who I am, and I hope I've served you right.