in honor of my favorite person turning 24 today, here are 24 things that I absolutely adore about him;

#happytenday♡

his love for children and how he wanted to be an elementary school teacher!!! in 2011, when he was only 15, after placing first on a talent show he proceeded to donate all of the prize money to a charity for orphans and children with HIV

he's a big advocate for self-expression. "be you be true", he often talks about the importance of identity. from his accessories to his dancing he said all of his actions are linked to self expression "I don't want to resemble anyone else; its important to find my own identity"

his appreciation for all forms of art. he believes that through performance one can have a better understanding of themself and others he describes the stage as a place where we can share what we have in common and accept our differences

he always makes sure to acknowledge fan's efforts. he has a concert today, so afraid he might be too busy later on he decided to thank fans for his birthday projects in advance. the loveliest

when wayv attended a reebok event during pride month, each of the members had to sign an item from the store and ten willingly went for the pride shoes. part of the proceeds made from this collection went towards charity.

the way he easily blushes when he's shy. here taemin said he could lay down on him and in another instance taemin called him out when he was blushing after the two hugged

when he gets a little frustrated so he instinctively pouts:(

his love for flowers and how they're present in most of his artworks

the way he incorporates flowers in his fashion

during a fansign, when a fan told him about his big lesbian following he smile and was happy about it. he even said yes when the same fan asked him if he'd be her girlfriend. plus...the lesbian representation in his art, truly knows his fanbase

when I thought i couldn't love him any more than what i do already... this video happens. his sense of humor, his smile throughout the whole thing how he brought up the fact that his clothes aren't gendered!!!

when he was going through his drawings and yangyang referred to them as violent so he protested it by saying no its art:(
i talk about this contantly but the fact that he allows us to see his art which is obviously very personal to him means the world

how he remembers things fans have told him before. from aspects like their nationalities to more personal things like the one time he asked a fan whether they're feeling a little happier as soon as he recognized them as the same fan that told him they're sick n arent always happy

when he did winwin's voice over...i think we all love it when he's a little out of pocket like this

he's always super supportive of others while still being respectful of their boundaries. he just wants people being comfortable in their own skin. here he immediately offered to help winwin while also telling him "if you can't(film)then don't"

because today is also baby don't stop's anniversary...remember when he said this was his favorite part of the choreography

during a fansign, when a fan asked him how he'd be like if he were reborn as a girl he said he'd be the exact same...ten says gender is a social construct

the fact that he's watched all barbie movies and how talked about giving them punk makeovers because they looked too cute

ten is...very eclectic and his interest range from photography to designing knitting and the list goes on...here he talked about how he used to read and analyse poems as an hobby the way he says it, as if he can't believe he used to do that either

ten is very unique and complex. taemin often talks about how he has unique color to him, wayv compliment his way of thinking, haechan referred to him as the "edge of the world, it’s impossible to understand everything about him". he called himself the groups freedom

ten proudly showing us his pokemons, when it got tsareena he called her pretty and immediately added "is it a she or a he". its cute that he didn't want to assume the pokemon's gender, especially considering the fact that tsareena is very female presenting

still on this note. i just think he's coolest person ever

when when he's happy or excited and gets all squirmy. he's very cute to me

when a fan asked him whether he could draw a tattoo for her. he said he needed time to think about the design and he'd upload it later on his account. he kept his promise and now it's become a thing for 10velys to get his artwork tattooed and he's totally okay with it