Dear Tate McRae, 

  You made the NHL All-Star game extraordinary this year! You were named a captain in the game, which made it extra special: “McRae is one of four celebrity captains named for the NHL All-Star Game.” Your voice was perfect! Me and the other Tater-Tots know that you are a genius in the music industry. This performance is only a fraction of why I adore you though.

The vast majority of my love is how your music makes me feel. I can truly relate to the deeper meanings within your lyrics.

I can listen anytime while in different moods, knowing that you have songs that I can sing, scream, or even have an emotional breakdown over. I have done all three many times to your songs. My fondness of your songs has me playing them repeatedly, thus converting many of my friends to devoted fans like myself. We just can’t stop listening. 

The lyrics you write are magical, meaningful, and beautiful. You put challenging situations into lyrics that everyone can relate to over the course of their life. One of the strongest lyrics that stick with me is in your song “Hung up on You.” You illustrate how you have struggled with not feeling enough in the past: “Do you ever stay up all night— ‘Cause you feel you’re not enough?— Well, I do.”

The feeling I know too well that you describe perfectly is being self conscious. Looking into my reflection, the feeling of disgust rolls down my spine. I feel worthless as I compare myself to my friends’ bodies. I see all of my imperfections: my face is too round, my shoulders are too wide, and I have too much fat clinging to my body. Could these be the reasons why I’m not enough for him? Should I change my diet or do more exercise? Would he want me then? I’m constantly thinking about what it would take to be his first choice. 

But as I have reflected from your songs, maybe he shouldn’t be my first choice. 

You are teaching those listening that were not alone if we are struggling to find satisfaction within ourselves or are constantly thinking about how others view us.

I should probably stop professing my obsession towards you in this letter and ask for a favor; we need more music.We have memorized the same songs, and we need you to dust off your journal. Maybe get into another breakup or write a sappy album? We don’t care about the genre, we just want your voice and lyrics. I hope you enjoy this letter and have a new album in the works.

Thank you for reading Tate McRae, 

Your biggest fan

Avery Olaveson!