Dear Sara,
I want to start off by saying that you and your music have inspired me in so many ways.
I saw you perform at Radio City in October with my mom and it was one of the best nights of my life. From the moment you came out to introduce Harper Blynn in jeans and a T-shirt to when you kept cursing and then apologizing for it, I don't think I ever stopped smiling. You told us all the story of how you wrote "Brave" for one of your friends who was going through a rough time and I want you to know, that song inspired me to finally be who I am and believe in my writing again. "Brave" showed me that being who you are and doing what you want to do is the key.
The lyric, "You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug," helped me understand that my writing can make a difference. Words on a page can draw someone in, make them think and experience something again or something new. Being who you and being able to "Say what you wanna say and let the words fall out" is empowering.
You taught me that being empowered and proud are phenomenal things. Allowing the other people around you to finally see who you really are is what being "Brave" is all about. You take that step; you take that leap of faith and do it. For me, the leap of faith was writing again. I've always suffered from severe anxiety and panic attacks and writing out what is all jumbled up in my head is like therapy. I stopped doing that within the last couple of years. I'm seventeen now and I'm realizing that the more I put myself second, the more time I'm losing. I'm young. I should be able to allow myself to do something that I enjoy and get lost in it and, "Let your words be anything but empty." I can be me and be there for others around me.
Thank you for helping me realize that being myself is a great thing. You taught me how to be "Brave."
Love,
Haley
P.S. Just one more thing: Will you be my best friend? I already have the T-Shirt from your tour that says "Sara Bareilles is my (insert curse word here) Best Friend"! Just joking.