A decade ago, a teenager with beach blonde waves came into my life and never walked out of it.
She wasnât trouble when she walked in and this wasnât a âlove storyâ.
The person who walked into my life was none other than Taylor Swift.
I was eight-years-old when I heard âTim McGrawâ for the first time on the radio. At the time, I never cared for country music. However there was this authentic voice, with a melody I could for once relate to, even though I didnât experience love or heartbreak. This voice continued to carry me through my childhood and into adulthood.
Although she is renown for her songs that seem to float off the pages of a diary, her music to me meant a lot. Somehow, in an unexplainable way, she is there with you every second of the day. Itâs poetic, authentic, and in every sense of what I want music to be – a real experience.
When I was eight, she helped me fall in love with music with âMaryâs Song (Oh My My)â and âTeardrops On My Guitarâ.
When I was ten, I felt that I had to grow up. âFearlessâ helped me get through that.
When I was twelve, I got bullied. âMeanâ got me through that.
When I was fourteen, I fell in love for the first time. It was also when I first time I experienced having my heartbroken and I played âAll Too Wellâ until I couldnât cry no more.
When I was sixteen, I couldnât walk down the halls of high school without feeling insecure, lonely, and scared. âShake It Offâ helped me dance away my fears.
Without Taylorâs music, I know that I wouldnât be the person I am today. However, her music is the only thing that hasnât influenced my life. Sheâs inspired me to be authentic, fearless, and embrace my insecurities. Her character and the way she holds herself through every turn and twist of every tabloid wants me to be able to hold myself and stay strong through every turn and twist of every moment in my life.
Today, as an adult, the music she poured her heart into ten years ago. It can still make me want to dance, cry, scream, and sing, even after all of these years. I feel alive whenever âStyleâ comes on the radio. Sheâs helped me through every phase of my life, both the good and the bad, and everything in between the lines.
Itâs been one hell of a ride, Taylor. I canât wait to live it out with you in the upcoming years.