HAYDEN — Cecilia Daughenbaugh and Christina Duran both remember the first time they heard Taylor Swift’s music.

“I heard 'Teardrops on My Guitar' on the radio," Daughenbaugh said. "I remember waiting for the song to end so (the radio host) would say who was singing."

“My guitar teacher said they found a song I might like to learn,” Duran recalled.

That song was “Our Song,” which was released in 2007 as a single from Swift’s self-titled debut album.

Nearly two decades — and 12 studio albums later — Swift’s music holds the same magic for the two women as it did when they were young girls.

“I’ve gone through seasons where I had no friends at all,” Duran said. “When I was dealing with anxiety or depression ... she was always there.”

“Her lyrics are like she opened your diary,” Daughenbaugh added. “She puts it all into words.”

Daughenbaugh and Duran joined a couple dozen of Swift’s devoted fans — aptly known as “Swifties” — at It’s a Love Story Books & Cafe on Thursday night to celebrate the drop of Swift’s highly-anticipated 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

The newest addition to Swift’s discography includes 12 tracks, including one featuring pop artist Sabrina Carpenter.

It’s a Love Story, as it turned out, was the perfect place for Swifties to usher in the latest of Swift’s many “eras.”

The romance-exclusive bookstore draws heavy influence from owners Ashley Yates and Tyann Bjorkman’s own love of all things Taylor Swift: even the name "It’s a Love Story" is a play on lyrics from Swift’s 2008 hit “Love Story.”

Thursday night’s album drop marks the first new release from Swift since the bookstore opened in 2024.

“We knew we had to throw a party to celebrate,” Yates said. “The whole idea was to bring Swifties together.”

The celebration included snacks, themed mocktails, a friendship bracelet-making station and, of course, Swift’s discography from each of her eras played loud and proud.

Like most longtime fans, Yates has a hard time pinpointing her “favorite” album by Swift.

“I thoroughly enjoy and immerse myself in each one,” she said.

“The Life of a Showgirl” is out on all major platforms. 

    Cecilia Daughenbaugh kisses her little "Swiftie," 5-week-old Gwendolyn, during a listening party Thursday night for Taylor Swift's new album, "The Life of a Showgirl."
  

    Fans of Taylor Swift made beaded friendship bracelets, made popular by the singer's Eras Tour, ahead of the release of her new album Thursday night.