First and most importantly, I just want to congratulate you for taking all the steps to be comfortable with yourself. You're on a journey that a lot of people are too scared to venture through, or even consider. A journey that a lot of people turn away from because of the fears of inappropriate questioning, harsh interrogations, and negative perceptions. But you're headed down this path to being yourself, with more bravery than any other person I know. So congrats, and I'm proud of you.

Also, I want to tell you that I'll love you no matter what. You're my family, you're my brother. The memories of sharing room growing up, and giggling until 3 am will last me a lifetime. Eating raw cookie dough for dinner on days I had to babysit you is still something I'll laugh about. Blasting music while jumping on our beds, all of our fashion shows, playing hide and seek, jumping out of corners to scare each other, building sandcastles and later complaining about sandy cheeks... all of these memories will stay with me. I'll look back and smile at everything.

Just because you are my brother now, does not make anything weird or different. If anything, it just made me realize a lot.

It made me realize that just because you were laughing, did not mean you were fully happy. Just because you wore dresses, did not mean you liked it. And just because the doctor said "it's a girl" when you were born, did not mean you identified as such.

When you first told me you identified as male, I was extremely excited. You showed me your true colors and gave me something new to learn about. As the day went on, I wanted to cry. I didn't let it show because I was scared you would feel regret for telling me. I was not upset because I "lost" a sister because I really didn't lose anything at all. You are still the sibling I grew up with, but you're called my brother now.

I was upset because I never asked how you felt before. I never realized how uncomfortable you were in the past. And I'm really sorry about that. But like I said before, this is something to learn about and I can't wait for you to teach me. New pronoun, new name, new style, same person.

A lot of people won't understand you, and you're going to face a lot of obstacles because of that. But trust me, you're ready for it. You can handle anything. You have the patience to explain things to those that don't understand. You have the ability to open minds. You have the courage to say what you think, even if it's against other beliefs. you know how to handle tough situations. Because of this, you are unbelievably amazing.

You have already taught me so much and have grown up more than I probably ever will. You have matured into such a great young man.

Although this process will be extremely difficult for everyone, I want you to know you have my support. I'll be there for you through anything you go through, more than I always have been. My opinion on you is not altered. I do not think of you differently. I do not love you any less. If anything, I love you more because you love yourself.

For more about the LGBTQA community, visit some of these links

LGBT Youth Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm

The GLBT National Help Center: http://www.glnh.org

Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG): http://www.pflag.org