I met my younger self for coffee at 10am on a Friday.

She was early, standing anxiously

at the door. I was right on time.

I wore an over sized hoodie and faded jeans. She didn’t recognize me. Glanced down

at her phone, just as I said “hello!”

Her long, brown hair fell into her face as

she looked up and met my eye. stuttered out an awkward “hi”

it sounded a lot more like a question, than a greeting.

But I smiled and she saw her face reflected in mine.

I ordered a chai latte. I'd already had my morning coffee. She said “I’ll have the same!”

When we sat down at the corner table she said,

"I've always wanted to dye my hair" She smiled

as she studied my face, dark eyebrows

strong jawline, subtle hint of a beard

Finally, she asked,

“Are you happy?” I didn't say, yes. Instead,

I said

“I am the most myself I have ever been”

A single tear rolled down her cheek

She said, "I'm sacred" I said,

"Me too, life is scary

and we don't know what we are doing. But do it scared,

you'll be happy you did"

As she got up to leave she asked, "What do people call you now?"

Emory, and I used he and they pronouns

don't be afraid to be the boy you were always meant to be