This is a before and after of my transition.

I transitioned in 2010. I was fifteen years old.

There are very few pictures of me before I transitioned. Ordinarily, I wouldn't allow people to photograph me. I knew who I was then was not the truth.

I hated that boy. And that gives me a great deal of pain.

But as time goes on, I love him more. He lives in a little chamber of my heart, and every morning when I wake up and look in the mirror, I thank him.

That boy sacrificed everything. His family, most of his friends, his job, his education and himself, just so I could bloom.

Since then, I've had several surgeries. I've been on hormonal replacement therapy. I have put my body through hell. I have been bandaged. I have had infections. I have lain awake at night terrified of the world outside my door.

But no matter how hard I tried, I never forgot him.

I never forgot that terrified little boy.

So this pride, I say, thank you, honey.

Thank you for sacrificing yourself and everything you knew just so I could bloom.

I love you, and I always will.

You were also a cutie patootie.