I discovered the song “She Keeps Me Warm” not long after I began dating a girl. I had just finished my sophomore year of high school, and the girl that had been my best friend for a year became my girlfriend. I was so excited to find a song that so perfectly described the love and comfort I feel towards her. Mary Lambert seemed to completely understand everything I was thinking.

I discovered not long after finding “She Keeps Me Warm” that the chorus’s lyrics were part of the song “Same Love.” “Same Love,” a song by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis used Mary Lambert’s lyrics in the chorus. “Same Love” is a call to action. It is an attempt to convince conservative individuals that love is love, and that marriage equality is only one step in creating equality in the LGBT community. I attended a Macklemore and Ryan Lewis concert with my girlfriend almost exclusively to hear “Same Love” and to hear Mary Lambert sing live. We "fangirled" so hard that night.

Mary Lambert is a beautiful human being. She is a lesbian, a spoken word artist, and musician. She has been open about her past and her own struggles with body acceptance. A large majority of her songs have the power to made me ugly cry and strongly consider the more private aspects of my life. Mary Lambert is not afraid to be herself. She began her singing career when she was fourteen, performing at her local Starbucks. She talks about issues that are important to her, not what will make her songs become popular.

Her song “I Know Girls (Bodylove)” made me begin to consider my self-worth. Her song made me realize that I am truly worthy of love and support. I strongly suggest everyone listen to it. Mary Lambert inspires myself and others to love their bodies. She recently became independent and is working without a major label, and I am so happy that she is doing what she loves for herself.

Mary Lambert is constantly vulnerable about her experiences, including the hardships she has faced with bipolar disorder and sexual assault. Her ability to overcome the difficulty and magnitude of these issues makes me feel as though I too can overcome any sadness in my life. She is one of those people that I am sure we would be best friends if were to meet in real life.

She is the only artist I’ve followed closely through my teenage years, and I am always excited to hear her new music, or read her blog posts. Her song “Hang out With You” just came out, and I’ve been listening to it on replay ever since without the slightest bit of shame. I am so glad I get to live in a world where I get to listen to Mary Lambert. Everyone else should go enjoy this wonderful human being right now. Ready, go.