Coming out-FtM

Dear Mom and Dad,

Before you keep reading, please have an open mind and remember that I'm still your child. I love you both, although I don't show it sometimes. It's hard for me to write this because I'm honestly terrified of what you will think of me. I'm still the same person on the inside that I have been forever. But what's on the outside needs to change.
I hate feeling like I'm trapped in my own body, feeling like I'm wrong. I don't remember when I started feeling this way, but it's been a long time and I'm certain now that this is what I really am. I'm sorry, Mom, that I'll never be a girly-girl, and you'll never do my makeup, and I'll never wear nail polish, and I'll never have long, pretty hair and I'll never be your little girl again. I'm sorry. It's just who I am. I don't want to wear dresses and lip gloss and the cute outfits that you guys got me for my birthday. More to the point, I'll never be a girl. I hope you aren't angry or disappointed in me. But this is who I am and I want to be respected and I still love you and I hope you still love me. I really hope you do.
It took a lot of courage to write this letter. It took me about ten attempts to just get past the first sentence. It was hard and it's not going to get any easier, but you can help me by accepting who I am because I'm still the exact same person that you saw yesterday, last week, last year. I haven't changed inside. I'll always be your kid, just not your daughter. Please respect this and accept it. I'm not "she", or "her", or "Ashley" anymore. I'm sorry, but if you can't accept me, it's your loss. You have a daughter, and you have a son. Mom, you always said boys were easier to handle, right? Well you got your wish, I just hope I can get mine, a family that can deal with who I am and love me for it.
It wasn't a choice, believe me. I would never choose this for myself. It's hard knowing that every single day you'll have to lie to everybody you know. But please just accept it so I can be happy again. I love you all.

Your son.