Dear Justin,
Thank you for your hug at my first Blue show. Thank you for signing my copy of An Open Book. It still means a lot to me. It was very sweet of you to hug me.
You’re one of the coolest and sweetest guys I know. I love your music because it’s helped me understand my depression and anxiety over the years. I love your music because you continue to lift me up daily. Your lyrics are insightful, powerful, and poetic.
As a teenager, I too struggled with depression. I would often spend lots of time alone in my room, too anxious to try and go out with my friends. I would sit and listen to music, or read, or knit scarves. Some of the music I would listen to was from my favorite musicals. As I came to know your music, I began to obsessively listen to Blue October songs.
When I listened to songs like “Hate Me” or “Into the Ocean”, I felt like someone understood my depression that I was (at the time) keeping to myself.
“Hate Me” was my first Blue October song in 2008. I was introduced to it through an assignment in my high school writing class. We were all supposed to share a song, and one of the girls in my class picked this particular Blue song. I was impressed and amazed at the poetry, as well as the honesty of your lyrics about feeling down and wanting to kill yourself. At the time, these same thoughts would often plague me, sometimes for hours.
Now, as an adult in my late twenties, I’m doing so much better. I have surrounded myself with good friends, an amazing boyfriend, and wonderful people like my family who support and cherish me as a person. My head is so much clearer thanks to my antidepressants. I’m back to loving my life again, and I’m able to do more of what I love every day like read and write stories and poems.
Your music inspires and lifts me up as a person. Your old music reminds me of the dark places I used to go in my head, while your newer music reminds me that I’m doing so much better. Your new music also reminds me that there’s so much life I want to experience and explore. I want to continue to feel happy and live my best life.
One of my dreams was to see you guys play live. I’ve been a huge fan of your music for almost ten years now. When I got to see you play at First Avenue on October 7th, 2017 it felt like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. I was so excited. It felt like a dream. I got the chance to tell you that I love your music. You smiled, and simply, yet profoundly replied, “I love you, too.”
Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for your poetic and heartfelt song lyrics. Thank you for changing your life around and becoming a better person. You’re one of my heroes because of how you care about others and respect your bandmates.
You guys are one of the most humble bands I know. I respect that, especially in an age where people can get wrapped up in their fame and egos. Unlike some bands, you guys take ego and selfishness out of the equation. Instead, you truly form a connection with your fans, friends, and families. You all set the bar, in my mind, for other bands to do the same.
I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for me as a person. You’ve helped change my life and continue to encourage and cheer me up on a daily basis.
Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Meghan B.
The Nerdy Nook 