-I've wanted to talk to you about this since forever, but you always seem too busy. Every time I bring it up, you always dodge or bail on the conversation altogether. Now I need you to really listen with an open mind and not rush judgment. You might not like it or be comfortable with what I'm about to tell you, but I need you to be my friend right now, not just my sister.

So-- I'm in love with Seneca. She and I are together. We have been together for over a year now, and although we don't know what the future holds, we might even get married. I know what you're thinking. This is all Seneca's fault. But before you blame her, you need to realize that this predates her. This isn't just a fling. This is who I am. I knew this since forever, that I was different from you, mom, and dad. And it wasn't until middle school that I was able to connect my feelings with cultural terms like gays and lesbians.

I know what you're thinking right now, and I just want you to know that I'm still your same sister. It's just that now I'm able to embrace and accept who I am. I haven't told mom yet, and I think you know why because you're more like them than I am. I mean, I can already hear her. "Oh what about marriage?" Or, "you just haven't found the right guy yet." But I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Right now, what's most important to me is you and how you feel. I love you so much, and I just couldn't stand keeping this from you. I just didn't tell you because it didn't seem like the right time yet.