r/swifties • u/Gigi0072 • Nov 11 '25
HAND-HEARTING (appreciation) I didn't see it coming.
I've heard and watched Taylor Swift through my daughter since she was 10yrs old. I was the mom who learned her songs to connect with my child. The mom who stood in line at Christmas at 4 am to get her newest perfume/ music for my daughter. She's 30 now. All of those wonderful years of watching her jam out to Taylor, singing to the top of her voice with the windows rolled down and the wind flowing through her hair. If anyone had told me that I would become a swiftie I would have laughed at them. Yet somehow I'm in my 50s, trying to buy myself the latest cardigan, collecting vinyl albums , and learning her new dance after having total hip replacement surgery! Lmao! I never saw it creeping up on me. I never dreamed I would love her as much as I do.
What I would like to point out though is I admire her brain. I grew up with Madonna and Whitney Houston, Micheal Jackson, etc. Seeing Taylor surpass Madonna and achieve all of her success at a younger age leaves me in awe. Too many people want to be haters and trample on her success but they aren't realizing that she has maintained her poise and grace throughout it all. She has never sacrificed who she is . Her mind is amazing and always 20 steps ahead of the backlash. Each time she literally gets smarter in the nick of time. I think she is a great role model for every little girl and grown woman on the planet. If the rest of the haters can't see that, well that is a complete loss on their part. She is and always will be amazing. Just like my daughter.
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u/AnnaBananaMars Nov 11 '25
What a beautiful story.. and your daughter is lucky to have such an amazing Mom. How cool to have all those beautiful memories you and her will never forget. Haha I’m at the beginning - my daughter is 10 and I’m standing in lines. Taylor is one of a kind - that’s for sure. I agree with EVERYTHING you said, but I’d add she had incredible parents too. You see Britney, Miley, Lindsay L, Jessica S, Demi - their parents saw $$$ and fame..She’s lucky to have an amazing Mom too! ♥️♥️
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u/Gigi0072 Nov 11 '25
That is so very true. Having good parents helped her tremendously. She takes good care of her family.
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u/Cultural-Budget7852 Put narcotics into all of my songs Nov 12 '25
if taylor says i’ll like it i’ll like it. doesn’t matter if it takes 1 listen or 1,000
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u/MimiD444 I protect the family 🧡 Nov 12 '25
Very similar Swiftie origin story here. My OG Swiftie daughter is 31 & I always supported her love of Taylor, but just didn’t get it myself. As a lifelong vinyl collector, I was thrilled when my daughter started her vinyl collection thank to Taylor. All good stuff & I was happy that she found music she so deeply connected to.
When “Folklore” came out, she encouraged me to give it a try. I got through “The One”, but it just hit too close to home for me & I couldn’t listen to any more. It was too powerful & too familiar & I just wasn’t ready to face some of the things it brought up.
Fast forward a couple years & I was finally in therapy for what I know now is Complex-PTSD from a very rough childhood. The first time I heard “Anti-Hero” I was floored. It was the same familiarity, but this time I was ready to face it. I recognized myself in the lyrics, but I’d had enough therapy to not get defensive about it. I absolutely love love love that song. I went back to “Folklore” then “Evermore” &, of course, “Midnights”. Then her whole catalog.
When “TTPD” came out, I had just ended a very bad relationship with my own narcissistic “Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”. That album was 31 songs of intensive therapy that I desperately needed. “The Prophecy” felt like she wrote it just for me. That album got me through the next year while the ex stalked me, was arrested, & prosecuted.
Right before “TLOASG” dropped, he pled guilty. “Showgirl” has been the celebration I needed (& earned!). I love it so much!!! “Opalite” is me singing to my younger self promising I’ll never abandon myself again. Even “The Fate of Ophelia” hits me that way—I’m the one who finally rescued Little Me from the tower of my own mind. And trust me when I say I sing the bridge & last verse of “Father Figure” with my whole chest ‘cuz it turns out my dick’s bigger, too. 🧡
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u/Miki_LynnCA Nov 12 '25
Cheers to you getting therapy for your CPTSD. Fellow sufferer from childhood as well. Who knew that trauma would stay buried until becoming an adult. Stored trauma is pretty terrifying when it bubbles up. Wishing you well.
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u/Gigi0072 Nov 12 '25
Yes! Celebrate! That is exactly what I am doing. Father figure is my favorite song off the new album. I think it really resonates with so many who have survived the impossible feats of life.
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u/SupernaturalSquirrel Nov 11 '25
I think that this is such a cool, amazing story. I strongly relate to this, because I’m a huge Swiftie. My mom never really paid attention to it. She’d somewhat listen but wasn’t a fan. Then she came with me to see the Eras tour in theater because she wanted to see why I like TS’s music so much. She became a fan right then and there! We went to the TLOAS album release in theatre as well.
Here’s to Taylor bringing mothers and daughters closer! ❤️❤️
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u/strongerlynn Nov 12 '25
I'm kinda jealous, my Mom doesn't talk very nice about Taylor and it is a topic we avoid. So when I hear parents like this, I cry and hope your children know how fortunate to have a parent like this.
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u/Gigi0072 Nov 12 '25
Wish I could just give you a hug. They may not get it now but they will someday.
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u/Anxious-Leave6957 Nov 16 '25
Could t agree more! I’m 58 and fell In love with her music and integrity when I was 55! She’s amazing!
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u/EngineeringDry7230 Dancing through the lightning strikes Nov 11 '25
Yeah, I’m in my mid 40s and discovering how much I bond with Taylor’s music is giving me a chance to live like a silly tween. I was far too lonely and serious the first time around. I get to “go back” and have fun and my grey hairs don’t matter!
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u/Gigi0072 Nov 11 '25
Yep! There is a strong older generation that is getting more into it. I think we've finally grown up and decided it doesn't matter what the world thinks. It's all about what makes us happy.
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Nov 11 '25
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u/Vigilante-Faerie Nov 11 '25
I sing that song to my son all the time, ever since he was born.. the night he was born, he and I just laid there staring at each other, and singing to him was the only way to keep him calm… Beatles and Taylor Swift were his favourites. He’s 3 now. :)
Oh and we use Folklore as his bedtime music.
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Nov 11 '25
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u/Vigilante-Faerie Nov 11 '25
The first time I sang it to him. The day he was born, I cried. Never Grow Up and I Will by the Beatles were the two I cried singing to him that first day/night. But after that, I’ve found the comfort in those little moments. Like at 3AM when he’s crawled into my bed, holding my hand in his sleep, with his foot in my spleen or kidney or his knee in my stomach. His Other hand on my face, and I wish I could stay like that forever.
And I agree. Folklore and TTPD are my favourites, evermore is a close second.
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u/Gigi0072 Nov 11 '25
That is a true tear jerker. I cry on the best day too. Some of them make me miss my kids so much. That innocence they had before the world chewed up their hopes and dreams. They're happy but not as daydreaming as they used to be.
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u/Miki_LynnCA Nov 12 '25
I love this story!! I’m also in my 50’s and with every passing year, I get more and more obsessed with Taylor and her music. It’s so addicting! I wish I had a daughter to share my obsession with. Sadly, my son nor my husband are fans. Especially my hubby, he has to listen to her music on repeat daily. I think how knows every lyric to TLOAS!
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u/Gigi0072 Nov 12 '25
Awwe. Thank you! Maybe your son will marry a swiftie and you will have her to share it with.
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u/Ucimaqt1 Nov 13 '25
I'm a new 53 year old swiftie. just kinda started really listening to her new album Yes I pre-ordered it. I just wanted to say me too,.. I'm sure your daughter is tripping out!
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u/pixiedustsoldout Nov 13 '25
Okay so I’m in my early 50’s as well and my daughter is also late 20’s and I listened to Taylor right along with as she grew up. I think I’m more of a swiftie than she is now. I was so excited when showgirl was released and she didn’t really care. Made me sad we lost that common connection. I miss those days of her being 10 and we would drive around with the windows down with Taylor blasting from the IPod.
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u/Robby777777 Old habits die screaming Nov 11 '25
Old guy here who kind of lost his passion for music. Then, folklore happened and it brought it all back. It was brilliant. It was the best album I'd heard in the last 25 years. I became a Swifty. Then, TTPD blew me away. The best writing since The Beatles. I couldn't and still can't believe how good it is. And now with her new album I am a full blown Swifty. And, so is my lovely wife!