There are two types of people in the world: those who like Taylor Swift, and those who love Taylor Swift. Ask anybody and they’ll tell you I fit the second category like a glove. Without a doubt, I’m the biggest, craziest, most emotional and passionate Taylor Swift fan. A shrine outlined with Christmas lights and hundreds of pictures of her taped on the wall isn’t nearly enough to show my love for her. Not saying that I have one or anything.

Taylor Swift entered my life 5 albums ago as a teenager going through the same struggles that I am. But unlike most crazy fans who simply absorb her glorious lyrics, I responded. I appreciate words, so hearing a 15 year old sing about feeling invisible on the CD my fourth grade teacher played in class, I was hooked. From then on, Taylor became more to me than just a singer with some frustratingly catchy songs.

For starters, she makes every fan, far and wide, feel loved. Even with her busy schedule she finds time to stalk fans’ social media accounts to talk to them about anything from their hobbies to their personal struggles.

After her concerts she hosts kickbacks for those who went crazy during the show. This Christmas she hand-wrapped and delivered Christmas presents to a number of people.

I know the name and backstory of everyone in the Swift Agency (a.k.a. the awesome people who tour as her band, dancers etc.) It’s my goal not only to meet the Queen herself, but her royal subjects too. One time I met her ex-guitar player’s girlfriend who danced on her second world tour. I cried. I try tracking Taylor’s every move, hoping someday I’ll walk into the grocery store and she’ll be buying a bag of potato chips. One can only dream.

But here’s the thing — half the people I know believe Swift is a boy-crazy dating machine, making her music and experience “irrelevant.” NO. This misconception sits pretty high on my list of pet peeves because since 2010, she has dated “exactly two people,” so she claims. Society often takes artists that rock at their job (*cough cough* Taylor Swift) and pick them apart piece by piece until their career isn’t even about music anymore, it’s all about reputation. Why judge her based on something that isn’t even true, when she’s singing about something you can relate to? And might I add that not all of her songs are about breakups. I could make you a list but I don’t think you would read it.

And despite all the haters, Taylor is just doing her thing and looking gorgeous all the while. Shake it off, smile, wave, repeat. It takes someone with serious guts to respond to the haters like that. But beyond her resilience, I love her for a deeper reason. Her words give her character and help other people find theirs.

By turning relatable emotions into words, she helps people understand how to deal with them. There is a Taylor Swift song for everything, literally. We all find ourselves asking “where do I go now?” or “how am I supposed to feel?” and as cliché as it sounds I think Taylor’s music does a good job of making those questions feel normal. We often get so caught up in our emotions that we let them get the best of us. I do that probably more than anyone.

So through years of interpreting her music, I’ve learned that some days our emotions will overwhelm us, but around the corner is something brand new. That’s called hope, and I think hope is another important thing people lack. I can tell you from hands on experience that life without hope is terribly lonely. I don’t care where or how you get your hope, but find it because it’s the best thing that will ever happen to you.

Of course I’m confused and stressed 24/7, but so are most people. What makes me feel normal is that I have something to get me through all of that. With Taylor’s music I feel less like an outcast with no idea what I’m doing, and more like a regular human being.

I don’t mean to make this all touchy-feely and emotional, but Taylor does more than make songs that I can listen to as I dramatically stare out my car window. She’s hilarious, endlessly kind, and until the day I die I will be on her side. Her music has helped me find awesome things in my life. So Taylor with love, thank you. It’s a privilege to be a fan of yours.