Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesIt's no secret One Direction has quite the online presence, so it's no surprise that when fans remembered that it was the band's fourth anniversary, everyone freaked the eff out. Who knew five dudes meeting could have such an impact?
Seriously, the Internet was ablaze. Hashtags started trending (#4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers is a personal favorite) and teenage girls across the planet continued to swoon over the boy band, just with a little more oomph.
Things started out innocently enough when Louis' mother tweeted out an innocent reminder of what was probably her proudest moment.
4 years today I got the call .......
Mum, they have put me in a band! ?? xxx
? Johannah Deakin (@JohannahDarling) July 22, 2014The Internet anxiously awaited the band's response and weren't left disappointed. Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan tweeted out appreciation for their fans and everyone along the way. Even the elusive Harry Styles sent out a few 140-character messages. Nothing much out of Zayn Malik, per usual.
Thank you for all the tweets !! Loads of loveeeeeee !! X
? Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) July 18, 2014Happy four years everyone can't believe it's been that long thank you so much everybody crazy how things have turned out I love you
? Liam Payne (@Real_Liam_Payne) July 23, 2014Thank you lads ,we've had a great time so far, you are family to me now , not just band mates ! Love you pic.twitter.com/IdUHD3vFnf
? Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) July 23, 2014Thank you to all of you who have supported us. We couldn't ask for better fans, you are absolutely the best ever. We love you so much .xx
? Harry Styles (@Harry_Styles) July 23, 2014Then things took a turn towards the obsessive... Seriously, how do people come up with some of this stuff?
WE ARE THE BOYS, THE BOYS IN MOTION, WE GIVE YOU OUR DEVOTION #4YearsOfOneDirection #4YearsOf1D pic.twitter.com/ZC71bYRosT
? NIALL FOLLOW ME PLS (@Niallsfeminist) July 23, 2014Fans claimed to have gained *millions* of sisters and friends out of their ah-mazing fandom. Which is ridiculous because these so-called sisters would probably murder you if they thought you were messing with their chances of getting with Harry.
I gained millions of sisters & beautiful angels.
#4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers pic.twitter.com/retqUIZiO6
? 4 YEARS IM CRYING (@xnarryhugx) July 23, 2014Needed to take this off my chest. #4YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/ArDpWQZLlV
? ??pat ?????| 4 years (@acidhorxn) July 23, 2014#ThankYou1DYouChangedOurLives
YOURE THE REASON WHY I HAVE MILLIONS OF NON-BIOLOGICAL SISTERS AND IM VERY HAPPY pic.twitter.com/PH9nIvgpFW
? 4 FKING YEARS (@unicorharry) July 23, 2014They reminisced on just how lucky they were that 1D even found each other in the first place. It was kismet.
BUT IMAGINE IF NONE OF THIS HAPPENED ?
IM CRYING
#4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers
#ThankYou1D pic.twitter.com/QJlxMFYdvt
? molly ?? (@nxrrygold) July 23, 2014Fans explained how 1D completely changed their lives for the better…
4 years. Thank you for all, guys. Looooove you so much! ???
#4YearsOfOneDirection #4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers?? pic.twitter.com/yWSqb4szxS
? barby (@BarbaritaPons) July 23, 2014THE ACCURACY??
#4YearsOf1D
#4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers pic.twitter.com/Yol6pAgYoC
? caitlin (@flowxrhoran) July 23, 2014…And how the band was there for them WHEN YOU WEREN'T.
SERIOUSLY IF YOU DONT RT I WILL JUDGE BC THIS IS ACCURATE. #4YearsOfOneDirection #4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers pic.twitter.com/jmRmAc6ieX
? 4 fucking years (@fxckmehazza_) July 23, 2014One Direction aren't just a band who sing. They're doing much more than sing, they are saving lives. #ThankYou1DYouChangedOurLives
? 4 years ¨? (@Zayn_MyHero) July 23, 2014Fans were in hysterics over the thought of the joyous day the boys officially came together. Just sheer emotional wrecks.
Accurate pic of me all day today #4YearsOf1D #4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers pic.twitter.com/Fp6rlpQLc6
? 4 YEARS. (@MalikingHarry) July 23, 2014*throws a chair*
*sits in the corner*
*sobs uncontrollably*
#4YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/jdR0lEU5HD
? 4 YRS FUCK (@drunk_narryx) July 23, 2014Literally, One Direction is their everything.
#ThankYou1D #4YearsOfOneDirection #4YearsAgo5StrangersBecame5Brothers #OneDirection4years -Ire pic.twitter.com/8SbSZXeDfV
? 4 YEARS ! (@1D_Updates_WW) July 23, 2014Congrats on the four years, guys. We're terrified to think what your next few anniversaries will look like.