I've been a nerd my entire life. I like to read nineteenth century British literature, listen to discreet bands, and binge watch "The Twilight Zone" on Netflix. There's a beginning to everyone's nerd happenings and a process that leads us to being the interesting people we are today. Almost everyone has a hidden nerd within. There's no judgment. Without further adieu, the standard evolution of a nerdy kid.

Elementary School: Origin

I can summarize my nerdy kid origin with three words: Pokemon tennis shoes. Everyone's nerdy beginnings start with something so embarrassing that we sort of mutter it under our breath. It's different for everyone, but our 5-year-old selves were absolutely hooked. Pokemon duels at recess? Dude, you're on. I remember waking up at my grandma's house to go watch Saturday morning cartoons. If Pokemon was on, it was like hitting the cartoon jackpot. Cartoons were cool, but books were cooler.

I loved to read. Of course with AR points, how could any kid not want to read? We all had to level up to get the good prizes. My mom wouldn't let me read unless I had finished my multiplication tables. I remember racing through those stupid timed quizzes just so I could finish my "Magic Tree House" book, since I had checked out five from the library. At recess sometimes, I'd take a book out with me and sit under one of those stinky pear trees so the noisy kids wouldn't come bother me. Some kids would even come sit and read with me and we'd trade books once we were finished.

What I loved about this period was peer acceptance. If I was into something out of the ordinary, my peers would accept and embrace it. I know not everyone is this lucky and a lot of kids are alienated during elementary school, but I was lucky enough to have other kids with similar nerdy interests. This period begins shaping who we are as individuals, or whether we're comfortable with ourselves or not.

Middle School: Suppression

Did anyone have a very positive middle school experience? I was the definition of a nerd. I cared about my grades, read a lot of books, and was in the marching band. The worst part for me was not listening to the radio. I never had any idea about the songs kids were singing and referencing all of the time, but I didn't like it. "Cause I've been acting like sour milk fell on the floor, it's your fault you didn't shut the refrigerator. Maybe that's the reason I've been acting so cold." What? Seriously, what was that junk? The Beatles are way better than that.

I got through it all, but I had my pack of friends. We were the kids who read "Twilight" before the movies came out and tried to protest the film with handmade anti-Twilight badges. Although my friends were fabulous, this is the period where I felt most insecure about who I was and my interests.

During those pre-pubescent days, kids are their absolute meanest. I remember looking at the girls who fit in with their Hollister polos and flare jeans, and wondering why I wasn't friends with them. I was different. I was a nerd, and during that time, the worst thing to be was different than the norm. So during this time it isn't surprising that we all tried to fit in. Girls had their side bangs and boys had their swoosh. It's what everyone did, and if we didn't do it too, it would maybe surface that we don't have the same interests as everyone else.

High School: Acceptance

They say things get better, and things really do get better. Nerd days are way better in high school when your pack of friends grows to become a supportive peer community. During this time, I began to embrace who I was as a person. I don't think I was 100 percent there, but I was comfortable on that path toward self-acceptance.

My friends and I would dress up for "Harry Potter" premieres and drive around town in my friend's car, with "Hogwart's Express" chalked on the rear windshield. We'd have "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings" marathons and complain about our teachers and boys simultaneously. Sometimes, I'd try to practice Latin with them, although I still have no idea how to speak or read Latin. It was okay being different. Other kids were experimenting as well, and being different was seen as almost cool.

I'm so lucky I had people who embraced me. So many other people feel alienated for having different interests than the masses. I hope they've found their people. We all should find people who we feel comfortable enough around to share what we like and dislike. It's not even wanting others to like what you like. It's about knowing someone else accepts you when you feel different.

College: Flourish

I've learned that most people embrace whatever nerdy interests they have in college. Everyone is so much more accepting because we all know those feelings of alienation. Why isolate when we could accept? It fuels an environment where we can learn from one another and dork out with each other.

I love Star Wars, Star Trek, and Harry Potter. I still don't listen to the radio, and '60s rock and roll is my jam. Whenever I'm not hitting the text books, you can catch me reading in bed or watching "Mad Men."

Those nerdy books or movies we liked begin to build upon one another to create a unique person. Nerds learn through the books they read about other people and other ways of life. They learn to understand perspectives and tolerance. Nerds become individuals who aren't afraid of being alienated based on ideas that they believe are right. Nerds become leaders. Nerds put together the knowledge they have learned from years of searching for answers and make discoveries. Nerds become interesting people.

You don't have to like what I like, because I'm not you and you're not me, but I will gladly read the graphic novel you recommended and watch the original "Superman." It might not be my thing, but if it's yours and you've accepted me and my quirks, I'll accept you and your quirks.