venerate

To venerate is to worship, adore, be in awe of. You probably don't venerate your teacher or boss; however, you may act like you do!

The word hasn't come far from its Latin roots in venerari, "to worship." Although you can certainly venerate a deity, a person can deserve it, too. Find part of the word Venus in there, meaning "love, desire" and dang, if someone venerates you, you're doing okay ;)