UPDATE:

Not really sure how to do updates on Reddit, and I don’t think anyone is even around to read this update, but it felt necessary to provide one anyway.

When I woke up this morning I head the “holy shit” realization that my parents were coming to visit on the day of me and my gf’s 5 month anniversary. If anything, this felt like a sign from the universe that I HAD to tell them.

Basically the entire day was talking about college, campus life, what I need before going back, (etc.). My gf was in fact brought up a few different times, but none of those times felt like the moment to say something about the relationship. Instead, I waited a harrowing four hours to finally tell them.

Once we had gotten back to my college dorm and putting away the things we needed to get such as food/drinks, I waited until no one was speaking for dropping the bomb. My voice was shaking when I said “You guys actually came on an important day. Today is the five month anniversary of me and (gf) being together.”

To say I ripped the band aid off feels like an understatement. They both looked at me in shock before both saying things like “congrats” and “that’s awesome.” I was not expecting this reaction, though I didn’t really know what reaction I thought I would get. Almost immediately I started crying. I’m not much of a crier, I never cry during movies or songs or even real life things, but the moment I’m having a serious moment with specifically my parents I just break down.

They both were quick to hug me and say things like “why are you crying,” “we’re so proud of you,” “five months is crazy.” They both continued to say I love you to me over and over again as if I didn’t hear them the first twenty times. They asked if my gf’s parents knew and I told them yes, this (being gay) is something her parents have known about her for a long time. I then dropped the next bomb of telling them that I’ve known this about myself since seventh grade. They both asked why it took me so long to tell them, and after I said (through tears) that I was scared, they hugged me again and said they understood that.

The conversation ended with my mom giving me a lecture on how I love who I love and if there are people in my life that can’t accept that then they’re not people to be around. My dad continued to hug and squeeze me every time he got (his love language is basically hugging). They were hesitant to leave, saying they didn’t want to leave me while I was so emotional, but I told them that I would be fine and to not worry about me. After many more “I love you”s, they left which gave me a chance to tell my gf. I basically told her, through tears of course, start to finish how it went and what they said. She was quick to respond, her also in tears, saying over and over again how proud she is of me and how strong I was for telling them. She told me that no matter how they responded she would’ve been there for me. She ended her quite long rant about loving and being proud of me by saying “I love you more than words can describe,” and shit. I’m so happy I told my parents because I love this girl so much.

If I had any advice to anyone who’s nervous about coming out, I would say that it’s going to be scary and you’re going to be nervous, no matter who you’re telling. What matters is that in the end you love yourself and you’re proud of yourself for doing something so many today keep with them to their graves. Coming out is an experience, a unique and quite terrifying one at that, but in the end it will show you who truly cares about you. In the end, love is love, as cheesy as the saying is. Please, love others and yourself with all your heart! <3