This is a question I get asked rather often. But let me just highlight some things he has done for me in my life, despite never even being in the same province/state as I.

o1. He got me into Japanese culture in itself and as a whole, being my first exposure to it.
a) This led me to become interested in the language, as well as want to understand him better.
b) This led me to actually create a work ethic in school, so I could accomplish this.
c) As a result, I strove for something in my life. He became a great source of inspiration.
d) I began to want to live and work in Japan, and once again, he created another goal in my life.

o2. He infused a love of stagemastery and performing arts into an already-dramatic person.
a) I tried out for the school play in 10th grade, my first ever extra-curricular activity.
b) He helped me in some small way to truly not care what others thought and let myself be expressive.
c) As a result of these increases in activity, I gained even more friends. 8D
d) I got into singing again, which I hadn't done since I travelled with the CCG in 5th grade.
e) He was a talented performer and I wanted to aspire to something like that.

o3. He has been a great inspiration in my battles against self-image and weight.
a) Thanks to him, I have lost a great deal of weight through his inspiration of hard work. [If you don't believe me, go watch the 'Summer Crush' DVD when they're working out. >_>;]
b) I don't have to hide from being the kind of person I am now. 8D

He has tons of other sentimental value to me, too, aside from being gorgeous as all hell, lol. XD; But, those are some of the reasons I personally have grown rather fond of him, and why he is special to me. [No other performer has ever accomplished these kinds of feats in my life. 8D]