Hello. My name is Cali and I am obsessed with the musical Hamilton. It all started about a year ago. My friend was talking about a play about Alexander Hamilton. I sat there and almost laughed. This was the dude who set up the National Banks. Being an ex-history major, I was intrigued. She tried to show me some of the music, praising this guy, Lin Manuel-Miranda. Little did I know, his name would change my life, for the better.

I put off listening to the music for a long time. It wasn’t until I started a new job with a thirty-minute commute that I decided to give it a chance. By “My Shot”, I knew my life would never be the same. These lyrics actually meant something. Flashbacks to my AP U.S. History class, learning about post-Revolutionary War United States. With every word, I am taken to the world Miranda has created. Every song has meaning behind it. There is passion, love and a desire to become great. It instills the want to fight for what you believe in. The first act makes you want to fight, cry and believe again. “Wait for It” brought tears to my eyes.

So, for almost three months, I have been listening to the soundtrack. Everywhere. I. Go. If you see me walking around campus smiling like an idiot, it is because I am listening to the Hamilton soundtrack. I get WAY to into the songs while driving, rapping Hercules Mulligan’s part with all the grace and poise that one can have while singing “BRAPP BRAPP!”.

It gave me a new understanding of our founding fathers and what happened in their personal lives. The pain one feels for Eliza, as she deals with an adulterous husband and the death of her eldest child, is excruciating. Watching Hamilton face his death is poetic, yet so tragic. This musical has consumed my life. My roommates have started singing along with some of the songs. Others have gotten a little annoyed, but are still tolerant (luckily! And I love you guys for being accepting of this obsession!). This musical has changed so much about history, Broadway and musical style. By using rap and hip hop as the main basis for the music, it makes it accessible for different audiences. It brings to light how we can learn history in other ways besides the books. It teaches the truth (mostly) and it doesn’t even feel like learning. I now have a vast knowledge of Alexander Hamilton and his life, which may one day benefit me if I’m on a game show. And it’s okay if this knowledge may not directly affect my life. It’s been a great journey with a lot of singing and a pathetic attempt at rapping. I hope to sing “Dear Theodosia” to my newborn child, knowing that the hopes the founding fathers had for their children are the same hopes I have for my future children. So, here are the confessions of a Hamilton lover.