I still remember the day I first found Ellie Goulding. Dec. 26, 2010. It was a Sunday night. I had received an iTunes gift card for Christmas and was debating on what album to buy, rather than illegally download. When I first heard the crisp tones of “Lights,” I was gone forever. My heart belonged to Ellie.

Four years later, the love has only grown stronger. I dress like Ellie. I eat like Ellie. I only listen to Ellie. I have memorized countless facts about Ellie’s life. (Her parents are named Arthur and Tracy. She has never seen Star Wars. She loves visiting Washington D.C. to look at the buildings.) I have even changed my hair color to Ellie’s signature blonde. Some may call this love an obsession. But I call it a lifestyle.

Everyday people question if my Ellie addiction is really healthy, and to that I say yes. Ellie has inspired me to become healthier. She prides herself on being”fit, not thin” so I’ve made efforts towards living healthier. She has given me confidence; my first Coffee House performance was of Ellie’s rendition of “Your Song.” I have a lot to thank that British goddess for, and I hope one day I’ll be able to in person.

We’ve all got our own obsessions. We’re all guilty of idolizing human beings. Especially celebrities. There’s something about the unattainable golden lives of the rich and famous that seems so attractive to us. They’re creatures from another realm, and we, the common rabble, want nothing more than to join them there. So we emulate. We imitate. We follow the trends they set, we replicate their decisions.

There is nothing wrong with this. It’s human nature. Others’ success can force us to succeed ourselves. Perhaps that’s why we look at luminaries with such passion. We all hope to model their success, even in a small way.

I don’t know what it was that drew me to Ellie. There was something about her that I could relate to. Back in 2010, she was still finding her balance, much like I was. She hadn’t yet hit her stride. I feel like I have grown with her, her triumphs and trials are mine. That’s the draw of an idol. You share all of their little successes. You fall with them. You understand that they too are human, even though we put them on silver-encrusted pedestals. There is the beauty of idols. They are just like us, which is why I believe it is perfectly acceptable to idolize celebrities. They got where they are for a reason. They inspire us, so one day, we may be able to inspire them.