I have to admit, I have been a One Direction fan since 2011. I began to love them in middle school, and it stayed with me all through my life so far. Though the love and feelings have changed over the eight-ish years of being a fan-girl of them, they are in perfect ways.
They made me feel so happy when I was younger, and really and honestly showed me aspects of what I wanted in friendships and a relationship to come. I also loved the online community of Directioners. Loving them opened me up to friendships for just being a fan of them.
In a way, it feels like I grew up with Louis, Niall, Harry, Zayn, and Liam. Now, they are grown men and still smashing it in their solo careers. No matter how old I am, I will always love them.
When I went through a bad time in my life, they were these lovely constant reminders of happiness. They were something that always, without a doubt, could bring me joy. No matter how cliché it sounds, it is the truth. Between the music, them as humans, the energy surrounding them, and their friendship, there was always something to put a smile on my face.
They introduced me to some of my other favorite musicians and other little things that I would have not known or felt without them. I have seen them in concert three times; one of the times I was lucky enough that a friend’s mother accidentally ordered front row seats…(Seriously. Her page froze and she clicked everywhere and accidentally purchased the very expensive tickets.) It was incredible to have them 5 feet away from me majority of the concert. I made eye contact with each and every one of them, and Liam pointed to me as he sang lyrics twice. It was amazing, and yes, I was that fan that cried over it.
One Direction was such a positive, light, happy thing in my life when I was younger—it continued to be and always will. I can still watch videos of them at any time and never fail to smile and feel this warmth in my heart.
A quote I loved when I was going through my tough times yet always knew I could count on them was, “I may have a lot of little reasons to be sad, but I have five big reasons to be happy.” That helped me so much. They really did