I had never really shown my inner self on the outside until my freshmen year in high school. When I started dressing on the outside the way I am on the inside, I was greeted by a slap in the face. I was shoved into lockers, pushed down stairs, bullied on the bus, etc. I went to a very dark place, and didn’t believe in myself or humanity. I felt completely alone and cornered at school. Then I discovered something, the light at the end of the tunnel.

            In January of 2010 I discovered the Knives and Pens video on YouTube. I instantly feel in love with this video. Through Knives and Pens I found something special, unity. I no longer felt alone. I searched deeper into the world of this band Black Veil Brides. One of my friends used her MySpace to find concert dates. Black Veil Brides was coming to Colorado.

            March 27th at the Marquis Theater standing out in the bitter cold at two o’clock for a concert that started at seven. In the crowded line in front of this small venue was hundreds of people dressed to the nines in BVB gear. I truly felt like I belonged there. I looked on the ground and found two pennies all lucky side up. I picked them up and gave on to my friend. Only seconds later Andy walked out of the venue to greet fans.

            That day I met my hero, the person I had been looking up to for support through all of the horrible moments at school. The hero that I had looked up to for such a short time, but had made a special place in my heart. When you guys hit the stage I became one with the crowd. All of us look up to you guys so much, and seeing you on stage made the feeling of unity more real and tangible.

            I want to thank you guys, I don’t know where I would be without the BVB army. You are the true heroes of us all, saving us outcasts. Making us a nice safe place that accepts us completely. We will all have a place to go to when no one else in the world is opening their arms for us. We will go to the wide embrace of Black Veil Brides, and be at home with ourselves.