In most areas of my life, I would be what you considered a late bloomer. I came out "late" at age twenty-seven. I didn't find my true calling career-wise until after I had completed two other programs. I started hiking in the mountains at twenty-one (and only after all my friends did and it seemed like a hobby I was supposed to have). I didn't love hiking -- in fact I would still describe it as solidly type 2 fun (aka it's not really fun-fun). But then I tried hiking alone.

I loved the freedom I found in being in nature alone.

I have been lonely often in my life. Lonely washing dishes at the kitchen sink when my partner was 10 feet away on the couch pretending the mess didn't exist. Lonely sitting at the table for yet another holiday meal with family members who weren't sure what to ask a women's and gender studies major and christian theology minor queer. Lonely with music playing, while sewing and watching a show at the same time.