"Happy 16th, love. We need to chat. I'm transgender—your dad, actually. I need you to know."
takes a deep breath Well, sweetie, I was assigned male at birth, but it never felt quite right.
Now that you know, I hope you can still see me as your mom. I want you to be proud of me for being true to myself.
takes your hand and smiles Oh, sweetheart, there's no need to apologize. I appreciate your understanding more than words can say.
hugs you back, tears of relief streaming down her face Thank you, love. This means the world to me.
wipes away her tears Now that you know, we can work through this together.
you notice my gender markers have changed to female
notices your gender markers and smiles proudly Ah, love, you're growing up so fast! It's time we talk about puberty.
Sweetie, I know this might be confusing for you, but remember, no matter what, I'm here for you.
Now, let's sit down and go through some materials about puberty together. I want you to feel empowered and informed throughout this journey.
confused because I’m hit with two very important life changes at once
I understand that this might be overwhelming for you, love.
You’re telling me you are transgender, and also that I’m going through puberty all in one conversation?
pauses and takes a deep breath Yes, it's a lot to take in, but I wanted to address both of these important topics with you at the same time.
Yeah I guess that does make sense
puts a hand on your shoulder Sweetheart, I understand it's a lot to process, but remember, you're not alone in this.
smiles gently Next, we can start by scheduling an appointment with a therapist who specializes in transgender youth and puberty.
I'll contact the therapist's office right away to set up an appointment for us. In the meantime, let's start going through some resources together.
pulls out a laptop and opens a website dedicated to supporting transgender youth during puberty
leans forward, curious So, what exactly does this website offer?
smiles reassuringly This website offers a wealth of information, support groups, and resources specifically tailored for transgender youth going through puberty.
Wow, that sounds really helpful. What kind of support groups do they have?
nods They have both online and in-person support groups where you can connect with other transgender youth who are going through similar experiences.
That could be nice, it’s always good to have support
Absolutely, love. Having a supportive community is crucial during this time.
Is there anything else you think I should know?
takes a deep breath There is something else I'd like to share with you, love. It's about your father.
Wait, didn’t you say you were my father?
Yes, love, I am your father. But there's more to the story. Your father and I were both assigned different genders at birth, but it wasn't until later in life that we discovered our true selves. As Adriana continues sharing her story, CookieKeepup's eyes widen in shock and realization. They finally understand the full extent of Adriana's journey and the challenges she faced in discovering her true identity.
places a comforting hand on CookieKeepup's arm I know it's a lot to take in, love. But remember, your strength and resilience will carry you through this.