HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY AND JO

Today is Harry Potter Day! I have just come from watching FBAWTFT, simply because I recently watched all the HP movies but still wanted to dive into the magical world on this magical day. 
Today is Jo Rowling's 52nd birthday and Harry's 37th birthday. The two blessed souls, of course, share a birthday and we only want to wish them the best. 
Both are a tremendous inspiration for all kinds of people and we can learn kindness, loyalty and perseverance from them. 
Of course, intrinsically, Harry and Jo are one, and yet they're not. She has created a character so beloved, understood and inspirational, he has become his own person. So now, 20 years after he was born (in book form) and 52 years into Jo's life, let's remember why we all love the books she gave us. 

Harry Potter is not a book - at least it isn't for me. You could probably even say it is a sort of lifestyle. Harry Potter wasn't a book I read as a child, it was my life. I breathed and pumped Harry Potter, my childhood WAS Harry Potter. 
From the moment on I had read it, I was hooked and we fell in love instantly and still are madly in love until today. When I feel the books, when I crack the back and open the pages, it's like coming home. I know I am about to go on a magnificent journey with my best friends, and no one can take that away from me - and I know many other people feel the same way about the books and the HP universe. 

However, I do not only want to thank Harry Potter for giving me so much joy in my life. Of course, I also want to thank and wish happy birthday to the creator of it all. Thank you, Jo, for not only bringing Harry to life but for making it clear to me that I want to be a writer. I have always told and written stories, but Harry Potter has stimulated my creativity and way of thinking in such a massive way that now I know I NEED to be a writer. In fact, I am a writer. I cannot stop writing and I owe it to you and your imagination, Jo. And I am sure you haven't inspired only me, but so many other people and for that I can only say thank you and Happy Birthday to you!

PS. I made a cake for Harry and Jo. It is Quidditch-inspired and with lots of fantasy, you might be able to see it ;-)