When I was just nine years old, I became a huge Kris Allen fan. My mom thought that it would just be a phase and that I'd be over him in a couple months- yet here I am, 18 years old and still a huge fan.

I don't really know why I became such a huge fan, I guess something with his music just clicked with me. When his first album came out, I listened to it on repeat (especially his song Live Like We're Dying) and constantly sang his songs around the house. My whole family was probably sick of hearing his music playing 24/7 in my room. I dreamt of the day where I got to finally meet THE Kris Allen in person and hear him sing all my favorite songs.

Flash forward to now- I've been lucky enough to see Kris Allen live in concert five times now. Each time I see him perform, I still get that same feeling of happiness that I did when I first saw him live in 2012. Seeing the person you admire in concert is such an overwhelmingly happy feeling- especially when you're used to just watching them perform on a computer screen.

I am also lucky enough to have met Kris Allen more than once. I first met him when he came to the Filmore in Silver Spring in 2014. I was just a 15-year-old sophomore who was beyond nervous to meet the one person that I admired so deeply. I was overcome with so many emotions of happiness, nervousness, and shock. Seeing the person who has been there for you throughout the toughest of times, getting to hug them, and thanking them for what they have done for you is so special.

I am forever grateful for everything that Kris Allen has done for me throughout these eight years. From wiping away tears to making me laugh, he has been there through it all. Like many people, high school was not a walk in the park for me. I dealt with a lot of personal struggles which were not easy for me.

But when I hit those low points, Kris was there to pick me up. His music has helped me to be strong and not give up- even in the hardest of times. One song in particular, "In Time" has really spoken to me. The basic meaning of this song is that though right now may be tough, things will get better. This message is one that I always remember when I am feeling down.

Of course, I also have my personal favorites to listen to when I'm happy such as "Faster Shoes", "Young Love", and of course, the infamous "Live Like We're Dying".

I often think about how long I've been a fan of Kris Allen- I was only a little fourth grader when he won "American Idol." So much has happened in these eight short years and I am so lucky to have had Kris Allen's music to help me in this crazy journey called life.