I came out of the closet to my family in October, and it was by far the most terrifying thing I've ever done. I knew they'd still love me and that they'd accept me, but I was scared that it was going to change the way we talk to and act around each other. My friends already knew, but telling my family made it feel so much more real. I was finally in a good place in my life, and I feared that coming out was going to change everything and mess it all up.

My parents and brothers all supported me and told me how much they loved me, as I knew they would and as my friends had before, but the full extent of the support my friends and family have for me and my identity wasn't clear until this month. June. Pride Month.

I walked away from my best friend this Pride Month because he couldn't support me, and for a moment, it felt like everything I feared was coming true. By the end of the month, however, as I'm writing this now, it doesn't even matter anymore. I was too surrounded by love and support to focus on one person's negativity.

I had my mom hug me and tell me I don't deserve to be treated that way for who I am. She told me I'm still the same me.

I had my dad try to exchanges tickets for a musical he'd gotten months in advance so I'd be able to go to Pride.

Both of my parents were more disappointed that I couldn't go to Pride than I was.

I had my roommate text me all upset that she couldn't send me a bottle of Bath & Body Works' Pride hand sanitizer because the alcohol in it is flammable. She told me we'll have a Pride celebration once we go back to school.

I had so many friends send me gay memes and rainbows and wish me a happy Pride.

This Pride, I realized, more than anything else, how lucky I am to have so many wonderful people in my life and how proud I am to be pansexual.

All I wish is that I could go back in time to my eleven-year-old self that was crushing on a girl for the first time and tell myself that this is where she'd be eight years later. I wish I could go back and tell myself that the people who really love me will still love me, no matter what I identify as. I wish I could tell my younger self that everything would be okay and to not worry so much. I wish I could hug that younger me and show her just how much she has to be proud of.