Dear R

Dear R,

How are you? I hope you’re doing well. I know I’ve been great, between moving on from your bullying and growing as a person. It wasn’t easy though.

Would you care to believe me if I told you what happened the day you put that letter in my locker? Or would you simply say that Satan was the one who made me feel that way, just as he convinced me of my gender identity?

I have a feeling it would be the latter.

Dear R,

How long did it take you to write that note? You know the one. The one left in my band locker. The one that had me in tears. How long did it take, just for it to end up torn apart and in the trash?

I have a feeling you took a lot of time to think of your words.

I have a feeling you took very little time to think of the impact.

Dear R,

I’ll have you know that I am much stronger than I was my sophomore year. Being a Senior in high school does that to you. I can only hope that you are much wiser with your words and outlook on life.

Dear R,

Thank you for showing me the possibilities of being myself. Thank you for helping me grow as a person, and for helping me see that the world is not as accepting as my little sophomore mind thought it would be.

The next time you see me, I won’t be who you remember.

I’ll be so, so much more.