The Nola Nerd Couple are thrilled that the four Lord of the Rings hobbits reunite at FAN EXPO New Orleans. As longtime fans, seeing Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd reunite is a dream come true.

Our Favorite Hobbits

While my wife’s favorite is Dominic Monaghan’s mischievous Merry Brandybuck, we adore all the hobbits and the bonds between their characters. Their humor and heart got us through the epic journey across many watches. What makes the hobbits great, and why I feel Tolkien focused the story on them, is that they are ordinary people. The other members of the fellowship are all in their own way extraordinary and fantastical. The hobbits just want to be ordinary.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in Our Lives

The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been comforting, inspiring entertainment in our household for our entire marriage. We have tons of papers to grade, put on Lord of the Rings. We can’t decide what to watch? Put on Lord of the Rings.

We can’t wait to share this magical series with our five-year-old daughter. We look forward to watching the films and reading the books together as a family as she grows up. I don’t think she has the attention span to watch the extended cuts, but we can introduce it to her in spurts. However, there is no doubt that she will become as obsessed as we are.

Celebrating the Hobbits We Love

That’s why this reunion means so much to us. The movies are more than movies. The movies represent comfort and hope. Seeing the real-life friendship between Elijah, Sean, Dominic, and Billy will be the ultimate treat.

Their FAN EXPO New Orleans appearance will allow us to reflect on how the Lord of the Rings trilogy has impacted our relationship and lives. We can’t wait to meet the actors behind characters who are like old friends. This will be a nostalgic, joyous trip to Middle-earth together!

FAN EXPO New Orleans runs January 5-7 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Show hours are Friday 3 – 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets start at $28 during the advanced prices window until December 21, and begin at $38 from December 22 through the end of the show; 3-day passes and VIP packages also available at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans/buy-tickets. More information and updates can be found at fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans. 

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