sometimes the safest and most meaningful connections are the ones we build ourselves.

Every year, I make my annual trip back to Middle-earth with my friends, and every year, I realize just how much I need it. This Lord of the Rings marathon isn’t just a movie weekend. It’s something we all genuinely look forward to. It’s a tradition rooted in comfort, familiarity, and connection. For a few days, time slows down. The outside world quiets. Middle-earth fills the room, and for a little while, everything feels steadier. My love for Tolkien’s world began when I was