00:04Hi, young me. It's you, your older self.
00:07This is my valentine to you, because I love you.
00:10And I need you to know that no matter how scared and confused you are now, it will all make
00:14sense one day.
00:15You were scared to come out. Your high school didn't feel like a safe place, so you waited.
00:20You are doing really, really great. You don't have a word for what you are now, but you will.
00:25I want to ask you to be strong, to be patient, and to know that you possess the exact same
00:33right as all the other kids.
00:35Recognize that the idea of diversity also includes sexuality, and while at the time you're homecoming king and dating the
00:41cheerleader,
00:42one day you'll be playing a cheerleader and dating a former homecoming king, and that younger me will be okay.
00:48Who you are is far too complicated, far too exquisite, and far too lovely to ever be contained by language.
00:55Shame has no power here. Everything you need is already inside of you.
01:00You are brave and unique, and that's what makes you so special.
01:05Men, women, people, who cares? Don't let anyone tell you who you should love.
01:10You will one day not be afraid to kiss a boy you like in public. You'll stop pleading with God
01:17to help you through this phase in your life, and instead you'll start praying more for the courage and strength
01:24to live your dreams.
01:25You will be loved, flaws included, so stop trying to change yourself to fit into someone else's molds, and just
01:31be yourself.
01:32Being a transgender man is going to be one of the most challenging and one of the most fantastic experiences
01:38of your life.
01:39Revel in every moment of it, because you are the only one living it.
01:43I'm proud to be from Jersey, I'm proud to be Latina, and I'm proud to be trans.
01:47Always remember to stay gorgeous.
01:50This is your older self talking. I'm a lot wiser than you, which means I'm someone worth listening to.
01:57With love, Lena.
