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It's not controversial to say that the internet has gotten so stale nowadays, right? In the natural human desire to innovate and optimize, we’ve consolidated ourselves to only a couple of sites that provide relatively similar content, doing anything they can to keep our attention for as long as we allow them to siphon money from us. I feel like I was born at a perfect time where I can sort of remember the early 2010’s era of the internet where this trend was only starting to begin, and the computer was some arcane magical device that brought me Super Mario videos if I could figure out how to spell it. Being a lot older and slightly more pathologically curious, I spend a lot of time online reading about things that interest me, which unsurprisingly includes the internet itself. While doing research, I’ve noticed that writing a webpage in html and sending it to friends was much more commonplace in the early adoption of the internet, before the institution of social media platforms, and that fascinated me. Such a task feels oddly intimate, like receiving a letter in the mail, but with the benefit of being able to see it wherever you can find the internet. So, allow me to attempt to replicate that experience.

I want to let you know that I am honored to call you a friend. You have a genuine nature and an approachability that feels so rare, yet you do it with such humility. Trust me, if I could FLY A PLANE, you better believe I would be bragging about it every chance I get. I can’t believe you’re so casual about it, it still blows my mind. We’ve brushed shoulders since Dodd, and I can never recall a moment where I had a negative experience with you.

At every turn, you’ve supported me in your own way. I still remember during quarantine where you made a YouTube video where you shouted me out as your friend, and that was genuinely touching. I appreciate the consideration you have for me, whether that may be during AP Gov, during robotics, or even when you see me in the hallway. You are always there with a smile and a listening ear, even if I’m in a horrible mood. I ought to carve your kindness into memory and mirror it back with the same quiet grace you've shown me. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough for sticking around with me after all these years.

You are going to reach incredible heights. I’ve seen your determination firsthand, and I know you have what it takes to succeed, and know I have your back if you need anything.

Anyway, the communication line is always open. At the bottom of this page, you can find my contact information. The website itself will be updated to include projects I’m working on, if you’re curious. If you want to get in contact with me for any reason, don’t hesitate to reach me at the contacts on the website.

I wish you the absolute best that this life has to offer. I hope this letter serves as an adequate acknowledgement of the benefit that you have brought into my life. May God bless your journey ahead. I’ll leave off with one of my favorite quotes by Henry David Thoreau in his journal, Walden, “Only that day dawns to which we are awake. There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.” In no uncertain terms, every day is an opportunity to move forward and improve on yourself—to awaken to your own becoming, to rise toward the life only you can create. I still have much yet to learn, but I’m glad I was able to learn alongside you.

Sincerely,

Ethan Patterson

Ethan's Signature

Contact Information

These are more personal points of contact listed from most active to least, I'm trusting that you keep it secure (please)

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@atwalden.life