I noticed it when I was young. I realized I wasn't normal and that my feelings were quite different from everyone else's. It started out as a rare occasion but quickly turned into an everyday occurrence. You read my title and probably are like, "wow another coming out story, and how is yours any different from all the other ones out there?" Trust me, I know there are a lot because creating the link to this article was a tedious task. But, just hear me out, please. Let me explain how my story is different. And my family is probably reading this, about strangle me, but just read to the very end, and you will be deeply relieved.

Here I go.

*Takes a deep breath*

Every day I would admire the colors of the rainbow. The rainbow spun around, resembling those nostalgic parachutes on the best days of gym class. The coat danced as he sang. Oh, I forgot to mention what this article is really about...oops. This is about a man named Donny Osmond. Some of you millennials are probably really confused right now. Just go ask your grandparents. Even though you'll probably just google him because of this technological age.

This is my confession of my love for this talented man. I know he's a little old compared to me, but this isn't some crush. Matter of fact, it's not a crush at all, I simply admire the man. I may admire him more than is healthy but I'm a fanatic, soooooo, that's how this works. You girls today are obsessed with 5SOS, One Direction, and a million other artists, but I prefer old school and pure talent, like Donny. Donny Osmond was the teenage heartthrob of the 70s, with his amazing smile and mesmerizing vocals.

Donny Osmond has been hidden within the millennials' pop culture. Sometimes it is more discrete and other times not so much. In the movie, My Girl, Vada has an excessive amount of Donny Osmond merchandise (kinda like me.) Vada has three to four posters and a record of his. Donny won Dancing with the Stars season nine with his partner Kym Johnson. He has performed as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat thousands of times on Broadway, and once in the film adaptation. And here is what will blow many people's minds. "Let's get down to business." Admit it, you sang that to the wonderful voice of Li Shang. Well here's the kicker, the man who sang "I'll Make a Man Out of You" was a completely different person from the man who was his speaking voice. The man who sings that amazing song was...wait for it...DONNY OSMOND!!!! Shocker, right?!

My love for this man started when I was at the ripe age of two (it's a guesstimate). I would watch "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" every single day with my grandma. When I woke up, I either watched my dear Donny, "Jay Jay the Jet Plane" or "Mr. Rodgers." But it was obviously mostly Donny. I grew quite fond of him because he was such a large part of my childhood. His portrayal of Joseph was the gateway of my love for theater and musical theater. I thank him so much for being my way into something I possibly could not live without.

My biggest dream is to meet my idol, but a more realistic one would be to have him notice this and read it. I don't know how I would be able to thank him in any other form. I wouldn't be able to speak if I met him. So thank you, Donny for getting me through life. My grandma passed away in April and she was my best friend. Donny's voice and the connection we shared over him will forever help me feel comfort in her passing.

From your admirer,

Brooke James, 17.