Every two years for the past decade, fans have anticipated the release of a Taylor Swift album in the fall. Yet, when August 2016 came around there was no announcement of an album from Swift like there usually is. As Taylor Swift celebrates a decade’s worth of album releases her influence in the music industry and all over the world is still growing, even without the hype for new music.

When Taylor’s first singles, Tim McGraw and Teardrops on My Guitar, first hit the radio they became instant successes. She was able to write catchy country songs that would eventually change the face of the country music genre. Since then her ability to create memorable, popular hits has been unprecedented. She has had numerous singles, including hits I Knew You Were Trouble and Blank Space, debut in the Billboard Top Ten Chart. Three out of her five albums have sold over one million copies in their first week. She’s accumulated ten Grammy awards along with over 200 other awards for her collection. She has pushed the boundaries of music and what it means to be a celebrity and she is only 26.

But, her impact has reached far beyond just the music world. Her fans are continuously amazed and inspired by her. To her fans, Taylor Swift is so much more than a celebrity and a musician. She is a friend. She is a sister. She is a role model. She is charitable. She is personable. She gives the best advice. Through her music she is always there for comfort. To her fans, Taylor Swift is so much more than her accomplishments, she’s a person who has helped change their lives. When no one else was there, Taylor was. Taylor was there during times of heartbreak with songs like Last Kiss and All Too Well. She was there to help us cope with growing up with songs like Fifteen and Never Grow Up. She was there when we were in love with wistful ballads like Enchanted and You Are In Love. No matter what we go through, Taylor has gone through it too and her music is there to help us.

The relationship Taylor has with her fans is beautiful. She goes out of her way for them by inviting them into her houses and sending them personalized holiday presents. She uses her social media to connect with her fans and give them heartwarming advice. She uses her experiences to relate to her fans and form a bond with them that is rarely seen between an artist and their fans. In return for everything that she has done for her fans, her fans have loyally stuck by her when the media was fighting against her. They made sure she never felt alone like she has done for them.

Taylor Swift is a true role model for people of all ages. This is something her fans know all too well. Her talent and personality have allowed her to be so successful and have such a tremendous impact on so many people’s lives. For over a decade she has been shaping the world and over time she has become one of the most influential musical icons of this generation.