As a journalist, I absolutely adore breaking news. And good news. And also no news, so I can relax a bit sometimes. I like all news but bad news, although bad news does seem to get a lot of likes on Instagram, much to my dismay.

The breaking news this week, apart from the usual local shenanigans, is that on Tuesday, August 26, Pennsylvania woman Taylor Swift, 35, has announced her engagement to Ohio man Travis Kelce, also 35. Gee, I wonder what they both do for a living.

Jokes aside, this is possibly the closest thing this country has to a royal wedding. I suggest we invite our friend of the News Lesley Francis to write a column for us pleb Americans on proper wedding etiquette, including fashion tips, what gifts to bring, and protocol on how us statewide Swifties not going to the wedding (i.e. most of us) can avoid causing yet another social media embarrassment on the international stage on behalf of our country. Lord knows we’ve endured enough faux pas this calendar year from the federal government.

Anywho, in honor of this news, I’d like to share some snippets of one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs in this column, a song entitled “You’re on Your Own, Kid” from her 2022 album Midnights. I really love this song and the Midnights album in general because it was released in the fall that I graduated college, so it reminds me of that bittersweet chapter in my life where I was preparing to leave the cozy nest of downtown Athens, Georgia and go off into the “real world”, so to speak. Time flies when you’re having fun, guys. (Also, abuela, if you’re reading this, if Taylor Swift can get married in her mid-thirties, so can I! Leave me be! Also, I love you, take care, and don’t forget to call mom).

You’re on Your Own, Kid, Taylor Swift (abridged)

 From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes I called a taxi to take me there I search the party of better bodies Just to learn that my dreams aren’t rare You’re on your own, kid You always have been From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this I hosted parties and starved my body Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss The jokes weren’t funny, I took the money My friends from home don’t know what to say I looked around in a blood-soaked gown And I saw something they can’t take away ‘Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned Everything you lose is a step you take So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it You’ve got no reason to be afraid You’re on your own, kid Yeah, you can face this You’re on your own, kid You always have been.

Andrea Gutierrez is the managing editor of the Bryan County News.