A Love Letter to Cascading Style Sheets

By Ethan Head, interactive art director

Editor's Note: It is highly recommended that you press play before reading.

Dear CSS,

Can I call you CSS? I know that isn’t your full name, but after more than a decade of study and admiration, I feel like I can call you something more familiar. And what a decade it’s been, too—so many changes. I know you don’t always get the credit you deserve among the coding languages, but to me…you are perfect.

I remember when just creating a three-column layout was difficult. It felt like everything was just floating around in space without a purpose—like it had no vertical center. Then you flexed…and my code has never been the same. You gave my work structure and vibrancy. Whether it’s fonts or images or colors, you bring so much style to the table. You really are a designer’s best friend.

I implore you not to listen to the haters. They may say you aren’t a real language. But that’s just because they don’t know you like I know you—and I know your true beauty. So what if you’re declarative? I declare that I love you. Yes, I finally said it. I love you, and you’re the only one for me.

Please know that, however things change in the future, I will always appreciate this time we’ve spent together.

Yours,

A Thankful Designer

XOXOXO