I've been a fan of Taylor Swift since one of my friends introduced me to her in the fifth grade. After hearing her Fearless album I quickly was submerged into her country-love-song-vibe and after a year her posters covered my walls. I grew up with her, album-by-album, and as fans are beginning to meet her for her newest album release, I wrote down some words that I would say if I ever ran into her:

Taylor,

You were the first artist (after The Cheetah Girls) that I continually bought albums from because I knew each one was a hit. Your albums were the first ones I bought off iTunes after I had gotten my first iPod. You were the first artist who made an impression on me and introduced me to your beautiful narrative writing.

Each album you released holds a part of me inside them like they do you, and as you grew up, so did I.

Taylor Swift:

5th grade me had no idea about life. Insert Taylor Swift and "A Place in This World" and "Picture to Burn" and she is finding out who she is and how much she cannot wait to grow up.

Fearless:

6th Grade Lily just found out she was moving from her hometown of Olympia Washington and to a whole new state, away from her best friend, and everything she knew (granted I was a little dramatic back then, but still stand by my feelings at the time). "Fearless" and "Fifteen" helped me look to the future and I jammed out to "Change" on the plane ride to Alaska.

Speak Now:

Snow. I always think of a cold winter. I was living in Alaska at the time, and being a new kid in middle school was tough. I spent long bus rides through the snow, alone and leaning against the ice-cold window listening to the melodies of "Enchanted" and smirking when "Mean" came on. "Better Than Revenge" was also one of my favorites.

Red:

Forever-alone Fall. I was a new kid in Arizona. A Freshman in high school. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" was on repeat as my dad drove me to my first day in a school of over 3000 kids. "State of Grace" would be the song I sang alone in my room, and "All Too Well" the one I sat in my car to.

1989:

Senior year Lily. I was done with high school. Done with the people I was surrounded about and ready for a fresh start, out of the chaos of these 3000 kids. I didn’t party, drink, or do drugs. I read and wrote. Therefore, I was someone who could never find that niche of friends that I connected with. 1989 was the album where I discovered that it was okay to like different things, and if that set me apart, then so be it. "New Romantics" was my anthem, and I spent many car rides jamming alone to it. "I Know Places," "Shake it Off," and "Bad Blood" kept me sane until I walked across that stage and grabbed that diploma and dashed right out of there. (This was also the era I went to New York for my senior trip and you best believe that I blasted "Welcome to New York" as we landed).

Reputation:

ALMOST convinced that me moving to New York is a good idea.

"Gorgeous" is a song I heavily relate to and I will seriously jam out to "…Ready For It?" I cannot wait to see what the rest of the songs on the album hold and see what great memories I will be making and remembering with it.

Every era of your albums takes me back to a part of my life, a memory, that I continue to treasure and reminisce every time I listen to a song off of it. I have had bad moments in my life, and really, really, good ones.

And despite the pain and the happiness, I love to look back through the songs and see all that I’ve learned.You taught me that it’s alright to hole up in your room and write until your eyes burn, and your fingers are cramping up.

That I can use my bad experiences and put it in writing (i.e watch out for all the villains I use in my future books… it just might be a real person ;)). I realized I don’t have to impress anyone, I just have to love myself and appreciate everything that I have, and where I am. You’ve given me the power to stand apart from the crowd and to dream impossible dreams.Because, someday, they might just come true.So thank you. Thank you for your music.

For the memories. For the love. There’s no artist I would rather have to look up to, and to be my friend.Here’s to a whole new era of beginnings.

I cannot wait to see what it holds.

See you on tour ;)

Love, Lily