Hey everyone, You’re probably wondering why I am constantly losing my mind over the Legend of Zelda, and being very normal about the Ocarina of Time remake… Let me tell you a little story about me and why Ocarina of Time means so much to me. When I was 12 years old my parents divorced. It was the messiest, most horrific experience a child should never have to go through. Especially one at 12 when you’re trying to figure out exactly who you are on top of bodily changes. It was constant yelling, screaming, hearing my parents put each other down, creating a toxic, horrific environment to grow up in. I still struggle with the effects to this day, and I don't wish that upbringing on anyone. To try and make up for this, my father bought me and my brother an N64. He also bought the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time when it first came out. I spent hours and hours playing that game to escape my real life. There was something special about being a fairy boy running around and taking fate into your own hands when I had zero control over my own. I could accomplish things, beat dungeons, save the world, and even make new friends. In real life, I had no friends, so it felt like the only one that would talk to me and listen was that little fairy Navi. I often found myself wishing I could be in Hyrule, and grow up to be as strong, cool and beautiful as the Gerudo women. When my real life became a nightmare, this game saved me, and gave me a place to run and hide from all the bad in my life ❤️ Navi meant so much to me I even got a tattoo of her on my foot. She was my first tattoo ever! She's a reminder that my friends are still there, close to my heart, no matter where life takes me. So you could say that Ocarina of Time was more than just a game to me. It became my home. The place where all my friends were. A place I could actually fight for and save, a place where I was a hero. No matter how bad things got, Navi would still be there for me. Saria would. Ruto would. Even that stupid owl who wouldn't shut up would always be there when I needed him. As a young girl, I needed that in my life. It would be many years later when I really grasped what Ocarina had done to my soul. Zolon and I were engaged and we were trying to pick out music for our wedding. Nothing stood out or fit just right, it was taking hours just to find anything that remotely felt right. Then I remembered Taylor Davis had done a beautiful cover of Zelda’s Lullaby and other Ocarina of Time songs. We pulled up the album and just listened. Hearing those songs from my childhood brought to life made me cry a little, it felt so special. I remember waiting to walk in and hearing Zelda's Lullaby play for me to walk up the aisle to. And there I was, with someone I had waited my entire life for and that I felt my soul was truly entwined with his own. Ello, who was a toddler and our flower girl, sprinkled petals to the Great Fairy Fountain song like the tiny, whimsical child she was. My bridesmaids walked to the Serenade of Water. It was so magical and the perfect way pay homage to a game that saved my life. Once more, Ocarina of Time was there for me when I needed it most, and I will never forget those moments, no matter how much time passes. When little Snek was born, we decorated his room with the Legend of Zelda themeing. My grandmother, stepmother, and Zolon’s mom all made him blankets and outfits to decorate. He was the coolest little baby, and these are now all keepsakes for him when he grows up. I remember this little Hyrulian shield and sword he had, and I drew the Legend of Zelda (Though I put his name in there) logo on his wall to paint for when he was born. That little guy was going to be my little boy without a fairy. Only this time, he'd have a mom to guide him through the hardest parts of life ❤️ This love of Zelda continued into Vtubing as well. When I started vtubing, Ocarina was the first game I completed on stream. This game was what built my community to what it is today. It’s where the blue rupee meme comes from for all you newcomers. (For those not in the know, I crashed out after completing a challenge and the reward was only a blue rupee in a chest, and the mods thought it was funny to add it as an emote in discord and spam it at me) We did our first deathless run back then, too. It felt really nice to relive those moments from my childhood and just... vibe and reminisce with my community. Then again for our subathon a few years later we ran it back and played again. This time, cancer had taken my hand strength and dexterity. Our shooting was off, our timing was not perfect, we laughed, we cried, we raged at the fishing game. We played that horse bow challenge over and over until we beat it and wept on stream because I didn’t think I could do it anymore and you all cheered me on. Everything about that run was harder, but we did it. I can't even remember how much time we spent on that final Ganon fight, and I wasn't sure I had it in me to beat it anymore. But we did! With your encouragement, even when I was so mad at my body for not doing what I was once able to do, we beat it. We had the courage to try, in the face of adversity. Thanks to all of you. My little Navi’s 🧚‍♂️❤️ So here we are in the now. Seeing this world reimagined, only makes me feel overjoyed, emotional and excited. You can love or hate the new art (I love it) but you’ll never take away the feeling of home from me. Seeing Saria again for the first time, or that big reveal of Hyrule field (I actually got chills okay), or even finally the recreation of the scene where Ganon chases Zelda out of the front gate of Hyrule Castle... god it looks SO GOOD. Ocarina of Time is a reminder of where I have been, how much I have healed, and how deeply a story can intwine itself with your soul. This is my safe game. This is my home. I'll always come back to this. I get to watch my kids play it for the first time, too! I am more than ready to step back into Hyrule all over again. The magic has never left me and I’m ready to be my own hero again as many times as this world needs me too. Thank you for listening ❤️ PS- Another Deathless run???