I would have never thought it would come my turn to write one. During these 12 months I've read many "one year anniversary" or maybe even "two years" or more, but I always kept thinking I was the "new one" and that my turn would have never come.
Instead now it seems that it has come. Exactly 12 months ago I joined this forum, and I can't believe that so much has passed.
Before joining AU I remember having not so good experiences on other forums (non-LOTR related) and I've never had the courage to join a Lord of the Rings one. Because LOTR was my well, real fandom, real obsession if you want, and I was scared that joining a LOTR forum would have meant having bad experiences there too, and that would have in a way ruined my LOTR fandom.
Then I ran across Arwen-Undomiel.com. I really liked the site, it had pictures, screencaps, wonderful graphics and so many other things that other sites don't have. Then I found out it had a forum as well, so I gave a look, and, in the end, I decided to join
And that's probably one of the best things I've ever done. I remember that it took a while to make my account avaiable, so I actually started to write later than June 29th, but it's the symbolic date, so...
There's so much I would like to say. AU made my understand that a forum hasn't to be a bad place where people keep fighting about who is a more real fan than another. It made me understand that a forum can be a place where you meet wonderful people (like you all) and where you can't wait to log in, where you have fun, improve your abilities (graphic making and writing) and so much else. That's why I want to thank first of all Arweb and then all the moderators and the people who keep this forum like it is.
And then of course, I'd like to thank other people I met during this fantastic 12 months:
*Elenthari: my first real friend here on the forum. Thank you so much for everything. You are a fantastic person, really sweet, a great graphic-maker, a good friend. You made me feel like I was sort of home here, and I will never forget it
so thank you so much, Elen. 
*Balathor: I should say the same about you, Bal. I was so glad I met you on this forum, I have so much fun talking with you, I love your graphics and our graphic battles. I think you are a great person, and, even if you probably don't know it, you made a lot to make me feel "at home" here. so thank you Bal. :hug:
*Turwaithiel Swann: my first graphic requester, and a fantastic person as well. I'm so glad I met you, and your requests made me become a better graphic maker
Thank you Tur *Tar: of course, my second graphic requester. I still remember you Enrique Iglesias obsession, and now you Dr. Who one
you're so intelligent and funny, and I'm always happy when you request me something I'm so happy I met you Tar :hug:*Aerlinn: even though I haven't seen you much online lately. How I could not mention Elen's beloved sister?
It was really interesting to talk with you on MSN, you're a great musician and a fantastic person. :hug:*smeagollum: of course, and your unbelievable hobbit obsession
it's so nice to see that exists someone who is more obsessed than me apart from that, I'm so glad I met you. I really love our Frodo/Lilith/Ruth Ann RP (and I'm so sorry it took a long time for me to write again) and to talk with you about Frodo in the Frodo club you're also a great writer and graphic maker as well, and I think that, even if maybe you don't realize it, you teached me a lot. :hug:*Peregrin Took: I really enjoyed our PM exchange, and I'd like to start again if you want. you're a great person, and I had fun talking with you
*Eariel, ForeverFrodo, Nurrantiel and all the Frodo Club: because it's so cool to have a place where we can talk about out favourite hobbit
*Altariel Frodo, JF, Kitoky, Zandain, Pandora, Ennostiel, Calloniel, Adoril, Shadowcat, Oceania Winchester and all the other people I met especially in the contest of graphic section, thank you all :)
*gollum13, Will, Goldleaf, Maethoriel, Caunion, Nienna of Rohan, Azura Undome, River_Tam, Miluiel Evenstar, Nymphadora Tonks and all the other people I met especially in the RP section, thank you all :)
*to all the others I haven't personally mentioned: thank you all, you make everyday this place special and fantastic
ok I've probably forgotten someone super-important, but please don't kill me. I'm not good at this thank/speech things
btw, if I've forgotten you, just write please.
I think that maybe that's all. I hope there will be a "two years anniversary" speech as well and maybe a 3 years and more, because you are all amazing people, and I love you, and this place, with all my heart
thanks for reading
Revenge
so glad you've been here a year! hmm, I think you were the one I first requested a banner from...that lovely Edmund one. I really should request more....but anyway, it's been good seeing you around, and may you have many more years on A-U! 
I really, really loved reading it... and you are so right about AU! good job! 
What you said about AU is so true.