Do you remember the first time you read a Harry Potter book?
For some, the magic might not have come alive, but for myself and all of my friends, the world of this 11-year-old boy wizard that J.K. Rowling created was as real as anything could be. We lived for those books.
I still remember pre-ordering the fourth book, The Goblet of Fire, having it arrive in the middle of a summer day, and being holed up in my room reading until I finished.
Reading Harry Potter was a way to escape an unforgiving reality you might not be ready for yet. It was a way to become a witch and wizard, go to Hogwarts, and live a magical life one might not have thought possible. Through these books, a whole generation of kids grew up believing in magic and knowing that they could do anything they set their minds to, whether they were a witch or wizard… or a dreaded muggle.
Through the years, these kids grew up into adults alongside Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the rest of the Hogwarts witches and wizards to learn that any challenge, any evil thrown your way, could be overcome if you believed in your self and the power of love.
So, it’s no surprise that during the 20th anniversary of this iconic book series, the internet sure is celebrating. From a Facebook animation to Snapchat filters to Twitter being overrun with stories, tweets, and just an overall love and happiness celebrating the Harry Potter series, this day is bound to be full of magic.
So, thank you, J.K. Rowling. Thank you for giving us this magical world to lose ourselves in and discover an insatiable love of reading.
Thank you for giving us all a reason to line up at midnight to continue the story in book form or to watch the story unfold in the theaters. Thank you for giving us a world that Universal turned into TWO actual, real theme parks so that everyone big and small can live out their own Harry Potter fantasies.
After all this time? Always.
20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others. It’s been wonderful. Thank you.#HarryPotter20
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 26, 2017
#HarryPotter20 “she’s a nightmare, honestly. no wonder she hasn’t got any friends.” pic.twitter.com/ACktbvVfKp
— ㅤ (@wafersbutera) June 26, 2017
happy anniversary, HP! thanks for making my childhood magical ✨ #HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/P7P4mLsKAn
— alexa 🦌 (@alexabosy) June 26, 2017
#HarryPotter20“After all this time?” “Always” ❤ pic.twitter.com/PgVdxtWXEh
— Joyce (@joyceechaves) June 26, 2017
Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the lights.#HarryPotter20 pic.twitter.com/dczV2Uyr4B
— Orlando 🤘🏼😎 (@TeamLando) June 26, 2017
[Image via J.K. Rowling Twitter & Scholastic.]
