If you opened this article only to try and figure out who Ellen Degeneres is, get your life together. No no, I'm joking...but seriously, who doesn't know her?

When I started watching Ellen at the age of 10, I never knew the impact she would eventually have on my life. I watched her show to laugh, dance and because I actually enjoyed it!

When I was 15 years old I started dating what would later be my first long-term relationship. He and I were inseparable, and in my head I saw myself with him for the rest of my life...what is first love without the dream of a happy ever after, right? However, he had other plans. After three years of young love, proms, movie dates, and graduation, he told me he wanted to take a break. Now ladies, if a BOY ever tells you he wants to "Take a break," you don't walk away, you RUN. As a 17-year-old girl in love, I accepted the offer not knowing what it would entail. Little did I know, a "break" took us from communication every day, seeing one another at least 4 times a week, and just the shear thought of care for one another, to absolutely nothing at all. He completely cut me off as if I did not exist and after three years, this broke my heart. I am sure you're wondering, how does Ellen fit into this?

I describe the pain from that eventual break-up as the worst thing I have ever been through in my life. Having to be normal without something that was so normal in my life for three years was devastating; I was depressed, I lost weight, I was heartbroken, and it wasn't easy. Ellen was the absolute only thing that could change that. I would watch her show and laugh more in that one hour than I had in months, I danced all over my living room floor with her every chance I got (And I still do). Ellen also helped my change my perspective of my own life, she showed me that there are people going through far worse things than my measly first love break-up, that maybe instead of sleeping away my worries I could be making a difference in this world just like she does every single day.

That year was Ellen's 10th year on the air, and she frequently called this hilarious lady, Gladys, to talk with her about her day, and what all she had been up to since they last spoke. Gladys sent Ellen a tinfoil swan to represent the 10th year of marriage gift, tin. She ended the phone call telling Ellen to "Keep on keepin' on." This was the day I decided that no matter what happened before I die, I will meet Ellen Degeneres. Why Gladys' story persuaded me to make this decision, I have no idea, but I will never forget that day.

Today I am a college junior; I struggle with anxiety; I work 4 jobs to make it through school; I can never decide what to wear, and I watch every single episode of Ellen, even if it is all at once via DVR. My mom and I have written to her show several times between the two of us, but as any fan of hers would know, Ellen is a hard woman to meet! I take medicine for my anxiety, and I tell few people this but watching Ellen is the only thing that can make me feel just like my anxiety medicine does; she calms me down, and reminds me that I am still a person, and there are so many other people in this world that have it worse than I do.

Needless to say, I still have not met Ellen...but do not doubt that I will one day.

PS: Ellen, if you're reading this, I love you so much. xoxo, Casey

Be Kind To One Another