Johnny is the reason I have met and made so many new friends through this wonderful, amazing message board.

I first saw Johnny skate "Valse Triste" LIVE in January 2004 in Atlanta at US Nationals, and was immediately won over. I had never even heard his name before that. After he won that year, I went looking for information on him, came across several fan websites and message boards, and safely "landed" with the angels. Of all the places I visited, it had the best chemistry for me - the obvious mutual support, the love and protectiveness of all things "Johnny", and the welcoming spirit to "Newbie Angels". I lurked in the shadows for several months, reading and learning about Johnny, Patti, various competitions, and the other angels - it was an education for me. And I had never joined a message board before.

Once I started posting, then participating in projects, I soon began to feel a part of this amazing group. This year meeting Pamela, Marie, Kaori, Yuki, Kristina, and (the other) Sue at Nationals in St. Louis, it just cemented what we already had as we were all already friends who just had never met in person. That experience was THE best for me - to have other Angels to share in the excitement firsthand, others who truly understood the emotional roller-coaster we were on and who have the same deep concern for our Johnny.

And I feel a strong kinship with many other angels who I have PM'd and hope to meet in person in the future.

So because of Johnny, we are all a part of a great big worldwide community to wrap our arms around. We support him and we support each other. It's really been a blessing in my life!

Sue