Beautifully told, Adam, thanks! I'm a bit older than you, but so many of your experiences resonate with me, right down to playing euchre. (Do people even play cards anymore?) Your backyard tent anecdote struck me, because I had a similar experience, just not in a tent.

At college, though, I lived two lives, with the real me only daring to come out and breathe on the odd weekend when I could disappear to visit unspecified friends or family. I'd really be visiting a speakeasy of a gay bar an hour away from campus.

I'm glad you found your true self and your inner super power!