My Letter.

So, in the past couple days this letter went viral for being sad and terrible. Then, the blogger from Ask Your Dad wrote this letter in response. It has inspired others to write their own letters.

When I was 13, my dad came out to me as gay. It has taken me all of these years to realize what an amazing and brave thing that was for him to do. Especially living in a small, rural town of 3000 people in South Eastern Minnesota.

This is mine. It's not to my future children, I'll write that letter when the time comes. This letter is to my dad.

Dear Dad.

I'm sorry that I didn't respond like you maybe hoped I would, when you told me that day. I can still remember it. I had spent the weekend with you and Ken, you drove me home, and we parked in front of my house. You turned to me, I remember it being very quiet. Then you said, "Elayna, I'm gay and I'm dating Ken."

In all honesty, it wasn't a complete shock. Mom told me, about two weeks before. I tried to brush it off like she was mad at you for something, but it wasn't her style to make you out to be the bad guy when I was around. So I kept thinking about how it might be true, but it was completely different when you told me.

I said something along the lines of "Okay. It was good seeing you. See you next weekend." And then hugged you goodbye and got out of the car. I didn't ask you any questions, I didn't even really acknowledge the gravity of what you had told me.

I now understand how hard that must have been for you to tell me. You didn't know how I would react, what I would say, if I would still want you in my life. You needn't have worried, because you raised me to be a thoughtful and kind person. It never even crossed my mind to cut all ties with you.

I'm sorry that we never really spoke about it again. I was trying so hard to figure out what it all meant. I was afraid of someone hurting you and I was afraid of someone hurting me if anyone found out. I didn't know of anyone else with a family like mine, so I just kept it a secret.

I want you to know, I never loved you any less. There were so many things I wanted to ask you and was afraid. There was brief time that I was afraid mom and I were simply props for you to hide behind. I was afraid that you never loved my mom, briefly wondered if you regretted having me.

Now I realize how brave you were in that moment and how strong you had to be. I love you more for that, and I want to be brave and strong like you. I want to be comfortable with who I am and I want to say it without hesitation. I want to always be myself and not hide into a mold that society tries to place on me. I want to be like you.

Because of you and your relationship with Ken, I have become so much better. I am kinder, wiser, more open-minded, passionate about what is right and strong enough to face whatever trials will come.

That day, thirteen years ago in that car, when you told me the most important thing about yourself, I want to answer differently. Now, I will open my arms to you, I will smile, I will tell you how proud I am of you. I will let you go with me to the mall and we can talk about which guys are attractive. I will embrace your bravery and tell you how much I love you.

Dad, I love you. Thank you for helping me grow into someone I can be proud of, but more importantly, thank you for being my dad. I am so proud of you. I will happily point you out in a crowd to my friends. I will always love you. Someday, I hope to be as brave and strong as you are.

I love you forever and ever and always.

Elayna

That is my letter. That is my story. That is my dad and he is strong and brave and the best dad in the world.