People always say that you turn into your parents when you grow up. However, I’m still only eighteen and I’m pretty sure I am not supposed to be hitting that phase of my life, yet. Nonetheless, it recently occurred to me that I can trace the biggest facet of my personality back to my mother—who happens to be a bigger fangirl than I could have ever dreamed of.

I grew up in a household filled with none other than Rick Springfield, the 80s pop-rock craze. I’m pretty sure I knew all the lyrics to “Jessie’s Girl” before I could even write my name. To this day, I still hear stories about how I would proudly belt the lyrics to that song at every karaoke night. My mom’s obsession had also become mine. We spent much of our time collecting the new albums, going to his concerts, and even going to book signings.

The first time I set foot in New York City was because my mom was surprising me with a Rick Springfield meet and greet at his album release signing. I wish I could say that he was my first concert, but actually, that was *NSYNC. Full disclosure, it was my aunt who took me to see *NSYNC when I was only three, but my mom was totally jealous of it. To compensate, my mom was sure to buy us Rick Springfield signed guitars that came with meet and greet passes. She didn’t just do this once, though… it was three times.

Growing up, I lived and breathed boybands and pop culture icons. My most prized CD was the Spice Girls album that my mom gave me. Somehow I’ve managed to see NKOTB, BSB, Boys II Men, and NKOTBSB countless times. We were at 98 Degrees’ reunion concert after a 10-year break. Of course, it was my mom who was by my side every step of the way.

So, when people ask me how I could be so obsessed with One Direction or why I have an Ed Sheeran tattoo, I direct them to the time that my mom got a Rick Springfield tattoo and then proceeded to meet him, have him sign it, and get his signature tattooed in.

When people tell me that I’m too old to be in love with boybands like Why Don’t We, I laugh because my mom has alerts on her phone to tell her when any given 90s boyband is in the area. Sometimes I get judged for the number of concerts I go to, but one time I skipped a Drake Bell concert because I had to go to a club meeting, and I swear my mom will never let me live it down.

The fangirl life doesn’t just end at concerts, either. If you don’t think my mom didn’t get me excited about books and movies you would be sorely mistaken. I grew up on the real TV classics… Buffy, Angel, Supernatural. If it involved the paranormal, there is a high chance that my mom and I binge watch it.

Plus, she (and the rest of my family) became obsessed with the Harry Potter franchise. Now, we use the Deathly Hallows symbol as a family crest and have it tattooed on us forever. I can’t be surprised, though, since my mom grew up on Star Wars and was devastated when Carrie Fisher passed away. Her past in the movie realm really impacted my very on obsessions.

Again, I just had to make my mom jealous of having my aunt take me to ComicCon. However, she still happily framed the Harry Potter, Doctor Who, and Supernatural posters that I bought and hung them in our living room for every guest to see.

I can’t say the fangirl life is the most practical, but it's what I have been raised with and I could never give it up. Being a fangirl has given me a different perspective on the world, one that is easy to discredit.

My expansive knowledge of music and movies has left me with this abstract concept of the human experience, which is something I believe every human needs to understand. Not to mention, many of the books and movies I have fallen in love with have shaped me into the person I am.

Plus, my obsession with every boyband that seems at least semi-coherent has left a basis for my music taste to grow from. Now, I spend my time writing reviews for punk bands and hanging out front row at concerts for almost any celebrity. I can't forget all the amazing friends and relationships this has helped me to build.

When you become a fan of something, suddenly you're a part of something bigger. The fans you meet while camping out become your family and the ones that you retweet online are the people you will never forget.

Being a fangirl has given me more experiences than I am able to count. From hanging out at the MTV Total Request Live Studio to meeting Liam Payne to snagging tickets to be front row for Harry Styles to appearing on bands' social media, I can’t thank my mom enough for the crazy wonderful life that she has left me with. Plus, I can’t wait for the new Rick Springfield album that’s set to come out… and I’m sure we’ll be at that CD signing bright and early to camp out for good spots in line.