It all started on a sunny August day in 2010.

I was laying on my hammock browsing YouTube on my first generation iPod when I saw it, a video diary of five boys sitting on stairs talking about their X Factor careers. The second I saw their adorable smiling faces and heard their extremely European accents, I fell in love. Ever since that day, my life took a turn in One Direction (pun definitely intended).

At 10 years old, I had become completely boy obsessed, not in the average preteen way, but in the insanely weird fangirl way. All I did was watch their videos. I listened to their music, over and over, until I knew every single word by heart and I learned every minute fact about them. Every word that tumbled out of my overly-excited mouth was complete gibberish and useless facts regarding the boy band I loved so much.

Everyone I knew was completely ambushed with One Direction and most people didn’t mind because they assumed it was just a phase, but boy were they wrong.

I quickly used every ounce of my free time looking at pictures of them and following their every move on Twitter and Instagram. Then, I somehow found my way onto Wattpad and into the world of fanfiction. If you don’t know what that is, I encourage you to stay far away from it. The world of fanfiction, or fictional circumstances written about real characters/people, had completely taken away whatever ounce of innocence I had left.

That is when the obsession really got started. My entire reality was replaced with daydreaming of the day One Direction would find me, sweep me off of my feet and take me into their amazing worlds. I have to say, my favorite part of being a fan of One Direction is all of the friends you make because of them. You will see someone at the store wearing a One Direction shirt and all of a sudden you are talking for 20 minutes about how beautiful Harry’s hair is looking recently and you are pretty soon texting each other daily.

Last summer, I had the amazing chance to be featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for being one of Milwaukee’s biggest One Direction fans. I emailed the music section of the newspaper and explained to them why I thought I was a big fan of One Direction and why I thought I should be featured in their article. They later emailed me back and told me I would be moving on to the interview portion of the article. I did a phone interview and was told that I would definitely be in the article with many other girls and that they were going to schedule a photoshoot in my room.

I was ecstatic!

After the photoshoot the article was posted online and there was my picture right in between all the other fans. I was so happy that I got recognized for simply loving my favorite band and giving up so many hours for them. Then when the actual article was printed, my dad picked it up and we were all shocked. My picture was on the front cover of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. and I had an entire two-page spread of just me and my Niall cardboard cutout. The next few days were full of friends asking if that was really me in the newspaper. I can honestly say I was never more proud in my entire life. I don’t think I could’ve been happier unless I actually met One Direction.

This “phase” my friends and family were sure would pass, has lasted six years and is still going strong. Many people have made fun of me and joked around about me loving One Direction and have made me feel a bit ashamed of my obsession. Now, I can see how silly I must seem to others, but me and the rest of the One Direction fandom, we understand.

During the last six years of my life I’ve been asked countless times why I love One Direction so much and why they are so special. For a long time, I really couldn’t answer that question, but now I think I know the answer. I love One Direction because it’s something that makes me feel like I’m a part of something great. Everyone who is a part of the One Direction “fandom” feels like family to me, no matter where I am or how I feel I can always listen to 1D’s music or watch their goofy videos and I feel like I’m home. From my obsession, I’ve learned many things about myself, I’ve met many wonderful people, and I’ve found a place that I will always belong, no matter what.