White Hat Stories

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----Email Message----
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2007
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Subject: my story

I've been reading the white hat blog since it started up because I thought it was such a great idea, but I'm not much of a movie person. I hadn't gone to a movie in six or seven months. Well, Friday night I went to see Stranger than Fiction with my boyfriend. I wore the same white winter hat I have had for a few years and didn't think much of it. Once we sat down I suddenly remembered the white hat people and looked around. I didn't see a single white hat. I thought, "Oh well" and just watched the movie. At the end of the movie, my boyfriend and I were just waiting for most of the people to clear out before we left and just laughing about the movie when suddenly, I realize, the man that was sitting in front of me was looking at me and smiling. Usually when a man about twice my age looks at me in such a way I would find it to be very uncomfortable. However, not this time; I looked at him and smile back. He was not wearing a white hat but I felt this stranger and I had something it common. This was both very exciting and comforting. Maybe he knows nothing about the WHP and was just a creep but I choose to think the reason he looked at me that way was because we were both in on a little secret.



-Minnesota



----Email Message----
Subject: Valentines day
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007

i doubt i will get to see my boyfriend on v-day. so, even though its a wednesday, i'm planning to go to the movies wearing a white hat.
Mid Valley 8, i think i'll go see Perfume. join me?



----Email Message----
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Hi.

Its odd that i ended up on the site for the gazillionth time. I like reading the posts and had always hoped that I wouldn't have a story to share that would be sad.

But I was wrong.

On Sunday, January 28, 2007, my friend I've known since I was six, was killed in a car accident. He was 16. I had just gone to see Epic Movie and had come home and was making cupcakes (my birthday was monday, the 29th) when I found out from my other friend. I began crying and had to literally call other people to find out if it was true. And it still feels like a lie. So my best friend came over and went into to take over mode. She finished everything I was doing and made me sit and talked to me and let me cry. We made the decision that I should go to the movies with her. ANd we went and saw Epic movie. again. And I was sitting in the theater thinking about my friend and without thinking I looked for a white hat, any white hat. It was completely random but was something I did.

I had been feeling alone and only had my best friend with me and at that moment when I looked around the theater I no longer felt alone.

Thank you for being a good distraction for a little while.

Danielle

Cameron Lee, We love and Miss You and you will not be forgotten.



----Email Message----
Subject: Thank you
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007

I’ve been feeling really down lately as I generally feel like I have no friends and all of my old ones hate me (probably just because they are high school boys :P) And I read a few of the stories about people meeting their old friends or friends-thurned-more, and I was reminded that sometimes magical things do happen. And I’m willing to wait just a little while longer to come back. And I have resolved myself that I am buying a white hat. So that every day, I can wake up feeling happy and excited that maybe something amazing will happen—I’ve really needed something to feel like I can live for lately, and I think this might just give me that hope that’s necessary to keep going through the emotional storm. It’s truly amazing to hear thousands of stories from people you’ve never met about fantastic things that happen to them. A reminder that for it’s faults, good things happen, and there’s enough of them to believe that maybe one of them will come my way again, that life could get better.



THANK YOU SO MUCH WHITE HAT PEOPLE!!!!

--Hope in Washington State



----Email Message----
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Subject: missing out

Due to my work and school schedule, I have been busy every Saturday night. I am going to the movies with my best friend and a girl who used to be our best friend in high school. It has the potential to be VERY awkward. I am going to wear my white hat. It gives me confidence. Maybe I'll be able to re-break the ice with her.

-Girl in the White Hat at the late shows

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----Email Message----
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Subject: look for me tomorrow

I found my white hat a few weeks back -- but I have been so busy I
haven't gotten to go to a movie or anything.

But its been one roller-coaster of a week.
Maybe when I see "freedom writers" tomorrow night... wearing my white
hat; I won't feel so alone.

Fuzzy white hat,
Bellevue, WA




----Email Message----
Subject: My white hat story
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com

Even though this happened about a month ago, I recently realized that it was because of this website.

Right before Christmas I was going to go on a trip across the country for a week. I was supposed to hang out with my friends the saturday before I left (i was leaving the next morning), but they ended up bailing out on me. Needless to say I was pretty hurt and feeling alone, considering this wasnt the first time they had done it to me. My self esteem had been down lately anyways, considering I had been single for almost 2 and a half years, and I was watching my friends go through boyfriends one after another, leaving me wondering why I wasnt wanted.

After a bit of coaxing, my sister persuaded me to go to the movies with her and her roommate, and I agreed, dispite my bad mood. About an hour before leaving one of my friends called and apologized over and over agian for bailing out on me (turns out she got called into work) and I forgave her. Even though I was still in a down mood, I invited her along. Right before we left for the movies, I remembered about the WHP. So I quickly grabbed a big white headband since I have no white hats, and we went to the movies.

The movie was okay (even though I saw no other white hatters), and afterwards I took a quick trip out to the store to get a few things before I had to leave the next morning. As the four of us were walking towards the front of the store, I ran into a guy that I had not seen in over 6 months, and made plans to hang out with him once we got back into town a week later for New Years Eve.

My trip came and went, and I got home and was able to hang out with the guy we had run into. It turns out that he had liked me since we met about a year or so ago, and we soon started dating. Its almost been a month now for him and I, and if it werent for WHP reminding me there are other people out there that felt just like I did, I wouldnt have gone to the movies and run into my now current boyfriend. It lead to something good for me, and now every time I go to the movies, I wear my white headband and keep an eye out for anyone else with a white hat. And if I do see anyone, i'll make sure to smile, and maybe strike up a conversation. Who knows what might happen? WHP did great things for me, maybe I can help someone else!

-girl in the white headband

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----Email Message----
Subject: i tried..
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com

I was home on winter break from college and i thought it would be a good idea to go see a movie with my sister because we don't hang out that often and sisters are suppose to bond. We decided to go see Alpha Dogs, i was really excited because it was a Saturday night and ever since that first postcard was posted and WHP became a blog site i have been a religious reader. each story in itself has inspiration and we are all getting some of it. Anyway, as i was watiing in line i told my sister to keep an eye out for people in white hats or headbands. I told her about the WHP and we both kept our eyes open. We ended up seeing one of my best friends and her boyfriend who were also about to go see a movie, we each went to our different theatres and my sister and i went to the very top row so that we could see EVERYBODY who came into the theater to keep an eye out for white hats. I quickly grabbed my phone and texted my friend "Hey do me a favor and keep an eye out for people who are wearing white hats, and let me know if you see any!" We all had our eyes open but with no luck :-(
I would love to go to the movies with each and every one of you white hatters. Every time i read a story a smile is brought to my face. and as alone as i feel at times i know that there are other people just like me and its comforting to know that i really am not alone. so thank you, each and every one of you
..I hope you all have a SUPER day and remember somebody IS thinking of you somewhere!

Smiling Girl,
Allentown, PA
:-)



----Email Message----
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Subject: southeast kansas

I'm making a white hat, but I don't get out to the movies much. I want so much to go make a new friend, but I certainly can't claim to be alone ... married with children. This is why I haven't managed to go out to a movie yet. Judging by the thrill I got when I knew *for certain* that a current postcard on post secret is from my home town, I know I need to get out and connect with more people.

- in the fluffy white hat




----Email Message----
Subject: WHP
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com

I don't own a white hat, but I plan on buying one next time I go shopping.
With college and horrible class times and none of my best friends being here with me, it's hard to find someone that wants to watch the same movie as me.
I can't wait to go to the movies next time with a white hat and I definitely can't wait to share my story when I do.
Thanks for coming up with the White Hat People. It gives me hope.

- Davis, CA [I'll see you there!]



----Email Message----
Subject: Location
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com

Hey! I'm in college so I'm not usually at home, because I go to school 180 miles away. So look for me and my white hat in Newport News Virginia or in Manassas Virginia. I can't really go to the movies 1. because I don't have my own car and 2. I'm a poor college student, but I'll be around campus (CNU) wearing my white hat with the Orioles logo on it and sometimes Patrick Henry Mall so if you see me, smile or say Hi. I'm very friendly and always looking for new friends. WHP is an amazing thing. In our own ways we are all alone, but if everyone is alone, then we are all alone together. That probably doesn't really make any sense, but we are all apart of something huge. Don't be afraid to say hi to me.



----Email Message----
i was supposed to go to the movies withmy best friend today. then i found out shes trying to hook up with the guy that she knows i like. so forget her, i went to the movies by myself. i was in the movie theatre fuming and i realized that i kind of stood up to her because she pulls this kind of stuff all the time. so im proud of myself. really.


i didnt see any other white hat people, unfortunately,
but i would say its been a productive day.




----Email Message----
Subject: Pizza hut
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007

well, I didn't get to go to the movies, but I did go to Pizza hut for my friend's 16th birthday party, and I wore my white hat.
I didn't see any other white hatters, (the place was nearly empty. Big snowstorm yesterday) but I did see and old friend, who I haven't talked to in years, working there. We're all planning on going back up to hang out with him again soon.



----Email Message----
I went out and bought a white hat on Friday. This weekend, I'm going to use it. I've been going to the movies alone for five years-- since I started college. I've always found it to be relaxing...it started out as a way to get away from annoying roommates, and turned into something theraputic. I would love to see other white hatters out there. I'm in Orange County, CA. I have a friend who lives on the other end of the state, and she's a white hatter, too. We're going to coordinate movie times, so we'll be out there alone, together.



----Email Message----
Subject: White Hats

Thank you for your blog.
I read the secret months ago, but I just now found your sight today,

Thank you. I would like to say that I am brave enough to wear a white
hat, to find someone else who feels alone in the world. But if I am
truely going to be honest, I am terrified to trust anyone. White hat
or not, everyone leaves, leaving me back where I started. But it is
incredibly inspiring to know that one day, when I am ready, there
might be a white hatter out there for me.



----Email Message----
This past saturday was the first time i ventured out to see a movie on my own since the White Hats began. I knew i was going to go sooner or later but it couldnt be just any movie i went to, just for the sake of going. It needed to be a movie that i really wanted to but no one else i knew did. This time there would be no promises made to myself that i'll see it when it comes out on DVD. (I never do). This time there would be no regrets that if only ONE of my friends wasnt busy that weekend, or if only ONE was bored enough to let me convince them to come with me. No this time i would go, without stalling, without any awkwardness or uncessary self consciousness just because i was alone, without any self pity.... And i did!

I didnt have a great morning.I ran a little late getting ready for the movie in the afternoon.I rushed to buy my ticket and then some food to eat in the cinema as i was starving.I didn't see anyone in or outside the cinema other than couples and families with young children.I certainly didn't see anyone in a white hat.

But god it was a beautiful movie. The scenic shots, the plot... Made me stupidly cry more than once. But the amazing thing was that i didn't care. I was alone. I didn't have to worry about how stupid i looked, or what my friends would think/say to me after the movie. I didnt have to worry about how they felt about this movie i forced them to see. I was alone and i was totally, completely and uncompromisingly free!

Sitting there, with a white flower in my hair, i felt so much calm and easiness and confidence. Something i would rarely feel being alone... anywhere, really. But this time i felt it from the moment i started getting ready, from the moment the thought "Im going to that movie today" entered my mind. Because while i was alone in my movie theatre, maybe even in my shopping center. I wasnt alone period. Not really. Not ever. We're never as alone as we feel at times... This place just happens to remind us of that openly and frequently. That maybe there really is "somebody" waiting for us in the rain. :)

Btw, afterwards it being a lovely evening and all i went for a walk. Stopped and had a drink at a nearby hotel/bar. Now i was sure i'd never do that on my own.

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----Email Message----
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: not alone
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2007
I will be there in spirit with you.



----Email Message----
I was listening to some music, and the song "Somebody" by Bonnie McKee came on. I immediately thought of the White Hat People. Find the song on YouTube or just read the lyrics; it really describes WHP, or at least I think it does. =]
And in the beginning she even sings about going to the movies alone!



----Email Message----
Subject: Wichita ks
To: thewhitehatpeople@yahoo.com
Hi, are there any white hatters in Wichita? I'm kinda eager to meet someone in this small town.. great idea on the map thingy! And also..Thank You!

-Wichita, ks



----Email Message----
Subject: Thanks
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2007
I have always felt alone growing up. I think it maybe deals with the fact that i enjoy things that none of my friends are interested in. I have never really had people to relate too and thats what i love about postsecret. I relate to so many of those postcards and i dont feel so alone as i read them. Well, when i first heard about the WHP i was really excited. Something about it inspired me and i didnt feel so alone anymore knowing that there were others like me. Ever since that first saturday i have been planning to go to the movies alone with a white hat. And, every saturday since then my friends have wanted me to hang out with them. Then it hit me that im not as alone as i thought i was. It was such a great feeling to finally realize that and it probably would have taken me a while to figure it out without the WHP. So this saturday im going to a theatre in Eagan, MN alone with a white hat. But i just wanted to say thank you so much for helping me realize that I'm not alone and i have been crazy this whole time thinking i was. So thank you.



----Email Message----
girl in herndon va,


i live there too. i don’t have a white hat yet, but i will soon.


maybe one day i’ll see you at the theater.



----Email Message----
I don't have a White Hat; but I do have a black one & from now until it gets
too warm; every weekend I'll try my best to wear it out & around Belfast centre. So say hey if you see me =)




::::Hey there White Hatters, the volume of emails coming in is down this week so if you have a story or message to send in now is a great time. :) -Becky