I also join steemit on the same month as yours, July 2016. My initial reason was to earn money because I was on deep shit during that time and steemit gave what I need. Actually, it gave me more, I gained relationship, I gained friends. Most of us dont know each other in real person but here on steemit, we shared a lot of things, from disagreement of thoughts which resulted to a concensus.
We've seen and heard arguments about many things but that's alright, it's natural in a family with huge members. What's important is we all have the same goal, success and betterment of the platform.
I was in a terrible place too! Steemit kept me occupied but I was blessed enough to buy groceries and much needed glasses with my earnings before I could begin powering up. The relationships I've grown here are amazing and I cannot wait to meet you all in future Steemfests!
Yeah, hope that in the next steemfest we can have the required funds.