"Go get a real job!" said everyone to Vanessa, but to Vanessa she already has one - Cosplay. This is the 12 year story of Vanessa's first love - Kiyo, her Cosplay alter ego. This week's essay is the first of many where we invite you into the private complex world of love, submitted from real people. We'll share stories of first loves and how they met beyond relationships, from passions, pets and peculiarities. Its a story about transformation, and how Vanessa grew to become Kiyo, a celebrity with over 300,000 followers on Instagram. This is not a love story, but is a story about love. In her essay she will share 1) The life of a Cosplay Anime artist/ creator. 2) Her complicated relationship with beauty standards. 3) Her start as an anime girl, and her journey 12 years later. Would you like to share a story? Email us at [email protected] Or drop us a voice message on our website Kiyo's IG Account