Flattery will get you everywhere, or at least it’ll get you up on someone’s blog. I don’t normally post emails or compliments received because it feels just a wee bit self-indulgent (’cause it is). But I reminded myself today that this is, in fact, my blog, and the whole reason I began this Greek Tragedy blog was because I wanted a record, an online journal that documented my life, or at least what I wanted to show for it. So for the record, and your future nostalgic self-indulgent self, this email was just what you needed to hear today. It’s another reminder that you should (we all should!) go through life as if you already have a team of people rooting for you, waiting desperately for your next creation.

Dear Stephanie,

I don’t even know where to begin! First off, with my name, I suppose? I’m Lee Lee Elfassy. I graduated Wheatley in 2004. Faith Toperoff is one of the top three most influential people in my life, and I am one of your biggest fans.

I first started reading your blog a few years back, not even knowing we graduated from the same school. My mother, who is quite a few DECADES older than you, was going through a terrible divorce, searching for love through online dating profiles, and letting our 7lb Yorkshire terrier named Mikey lick away her tears. Then one day I head her laughing in the office from upstairs in my bedroom. She was reading your blog, and laughing maniacally. I came in to find out what was so funny, and immediately joined in, sharing the tiny office chair between us.

I have been reading your blog ever since, and I have finally (yes, my life got in the way so it took a while) read Straight Up & Dirty. It took me all of 5 hours to read. I couldn’t put it down. I never read someone’s writing that felt so close to my own. It was raw, and vulnerable, and pushed the envelope. Your writing made me feel a silent understanding, and a calm that my life would get on track, eventually. I’m only 25 years old, not too far from where SU&D takes place in your life. It gives me strength to not be afraid of the voice I was given. I was so worried that I would be TOO loud, or TOO needy, or TOO sarcastic through my writing. But all of that changed after reading your book.

For a year I have been working on maison arsenal, an online magazine launching in May. The idea behind it being a lifestyle magazine arming you with style, beauty, and a little something for the soul. I couldn’t understand why it was taking me so long to accomplish. It felt like I was waiting forever and a day for things to take off. After reading your book, I realized “maybe this has nothing to do with the magazine and has everything to do with me. Maybe I am looking for success, and comfort, and love in all the wrong places. It must begin somewhere closer to home. It must begin HERE.” (and I swear like a woman in a gospel choir I held my hand to my heart when those words came to me.)

I am writing you this letter to say “Thank you.” Thank you for being unafraid(or for moving past your fears) and thank you for being an inspiration to me, and many others. Thank you for getting my mother off the couch, off internet dating, and into a positive head space. Thank you for being awesome.

I am purchasing Moose online as I write this letter to you. (I too grew up a fat girl and worried my weight would forever weigh me down..pun intended. :)

Again, thank you for your courage. It made it all worth it for me.

Sincerely,
Lee Lee Elfassy, a fan <3