Dear reader,

One year ago, the decision was made to start a blog about gaming. It was to be a blog to celebrate gaming, analyse board games, strategise about games, and a place to talk about this hobby we share. A year later, we are well on our way to making that happen.

All I can say is a giant thank you to everyone who has been a part of this blog. To the 400ish bloggers who have subscribed, and who help me refine my articles. To everyone who follows this blog by email, or who follow it on Instagram. Thank you to everyone who has shared one of my posts, to everyone who has commented, and to everyone who has helped me improve my analysis. Thank you to those of you who recommended Start Your Meeples on Reddit, those who have bookmarked it, and those who continue to give this blog your support.

A few special thank yous need to be said to a few people in particular.

Firstly, to my girlfriend, Beth. Without Beth, this blog simply wouldn’t exist. She helped give me the confidence to start this blog, and she continues to proofread almost every one of my articles. Beth also sacrifices a lot of time to play games with me, attend conventions, and even has her own Start Your Meeples t-shirt so she can be a groupie. She is awesome and I love her more than words can possibly say on this blog. I love her, dare I say, more than I love board games.

“Whhhaaattt? No way!”

Yes way, dear reader, yes way.

Secondly, I want to thank my folks. Whilst writing this blog, over the past year, we have actually been living with them to save for our own house. Not only have they also played a lot of the games, but my ol’ Dad actually contributes to SYM occasionally, lending his giant knowledge of D&D to the cause.

Thirdly, I want to thank our gaming group. Not only do we game with them, but they are also my best friends. They have supported this blog in so many ways, as well as just me generally over the past four years we’ve been gaming together. They are always there to lend a hand, test games, point out where something is just my opinion and I may be wrong, and give life advice whenever it is needed. Thanks guys. You’re also awesome.

Oh, and Buster the Board Game Dog. Gotta love him.

Finally, I want to thank every single blogger who has supported this blog over the past year. You are all incredible. Every single one of you, every reader, commenter, reposter – every person who has argued against or educated me. Every single person who has agreed and every single person who has helped me learn more about games – thank you.

David, Azazel, Alex, Dave, and Faust. Guys – seriously, this blog would be nothing without you in particular. You have helped it refine so much over the past year so my heartfelt thanks.

I’m not going to write for thousands of words tonight. Instead, I am going to draw this to a close pretty soon. Once more I want to tip my hat to you, the reader of this blog, for being you and reading this. Thank you everyone.

It has been an amazing year. I sincerely look forward to what the future brings.

Love the game, folks.

Luke

Published by Luke

Board game nerd, comic book geek, Rubik's Cube solver, Splendor player, and Blogger. View all posts by Luke