Dear twelve-year-old Kit,

It’s hard to describe someone who means as much as he does to me, but I’ll give this a shot.

While attending high school together, Kaz is going to be one of the only “out” kids. Unsurprisingly, he’s going to take on verbal beatings from your peers for quite a long time. Hell, one of the first moments I can recall seeing him is being called a faggot during nutrition period.

What always struck me odd was rather tone it down, the worse it got, the more Kaz turned up his queer confidence. He wanted to be seen putting on eyeliner in class and kissing his boyfriend in the halls.

What you won’t realize at the time, is that Kaz was actively paving the way for all of us closeted kids who were too scared to be seen. I think he knew that with every horrible thing yelled at him, it may be one less thing yelled at someone else who couldn’t take it. 

It’s truly a miracle how someone can take a beating for so long, that he didn’t come out the other end filled with fury. I don’t know if it’s inner-strength, selflessness, or divine intervention, but Kaz has an enduring vision to leave the world a better place than when he inherited it. He’s the real deal.

You two sadly won’t speak a word to each other until years after graduating high school. And after confiding to him about your true self, he’s going to help bring you out into the light for everyone else to see. 

I think that’s one of the most incredible qualities about Kaz, he sees the true potential in people. Through the countless hand-written letters he writes just to say hi, the shoulder to cry on when you need it, and the person who you can laugh through the hard times with, Kaz will be a one of the most powerful reasons you feel comfortable in your skin. He’s the type of person we all deserve in our lives, you just happen to be one of the lucky ones to have him in yours.

One of the deepest regrets I have is not sticking up for him when I could in high school. So, when you see some punk messing with him, I need you to promise me that you’ll defend Kaz with your life – because one day he’s going to help give you yours. 

More to come,
Twenty-seven-year-old Kit