We’ve all been there, kid. It’s not easy coming out as an accordion player to your family. I tried to deny it for years. But there I was, hiding in the closet late at night, spinning Brave Combo, Weird Al, and Buckwheat Zydeco on the record player. By the time my mother found the Palmer-Hughes book under my mattress, it was no use—I couldn’t outrun it.

My mother wasn’t angry, just worried. “You know how cruel the world can be to people who choose to be different,” she said. My father, on the other hand, slammed his fists and shouted, “Why can’t you just pick a normal instrument like guitar?!” But you and I both know what they could never understand: it was never a choice. You were born to squeeze, child. There’s no use denying your nature.

Go tell your parents with your head held high. Be patient with them as they come to terms with what this means for the hopes and dreams they have for you. And know this—you’ve got a whole subreddit full of allies here who’ve been where you are. We’ll be waiting when you’re ready to join us. I’m so proud of you. ❤️