Writes of Passage: Brandon Groenen

Dear Brandon Groenen,

I am a few years ahead of your time. I know you have been waiting or wondering what your future self would say to you if I were able to go back in time and talk to you. Apparently, sending a letter is all the technology we have and is the closest we can get to communicating.

I know you have had a hard life, but what I am here to tell you is that despite your tough and difficult youth, you will find someone to help you out through the hard times in the future.

Yet the difficult time is now. I'm here to confirm your thoughts. In about a year from now you will admit that you are sexually attracted to men. But don't be frightened. The ones closest to you already knew this for years and have been waiting for you to discover this and come out with this yourself. And you know I know you have been experimenting with Bart secretly in the forest. Isn’t that already a hint for you? 

Mom will be a little difficult at first, even though she already knew for so many years. Still, she has had the bible slammed and spoon-fed to her for her entire life. But she doesn’t care. And don’t worry, she loves you to bits, and your future boyfriend becomes her best friend. He will open her life and her eyes (sometimes too much if you ask me).

It’s not a sin to love, it’s not wrong to love. Love is the most beautiful thing there is, in all its shapes and colors.

You get to finally be who you are, and you always have the freedom to love whoever you want.

Yours truly,
Yourself... from the future.

Brandon Groenen is a 22-year-old Belgian Model living in his apartment together with his fiancé and two cats named Tristan and Nikita.

Read more letters in our National Coming Out Day section on Gay.com.

Dear Brandon Groenen,

I am a few years ahead of your time. I know you have been waiting or wondering what your future self would say to you if I were able to go back in time and talk to you. Apparently, sending a letter is all the technology we have and is the closest we can get to communicating.

I know you have had a hard life, but what I am here to tell you is that despite your tough and difficult youth, you will find someone to help you out through the hard times in the future.

Yet the difficult time is now. I'm here to confirm your thoughts. In about a year from now you will admit that you are sexually attracted to men. But don't be frightened. The ones closest to you already knew this for years and have been waiting for you to discover this and come out with this yourself. And you know I know you have been experimenting with Bart secretly in the forest. Isn’t that already a hint for you? 

Mom will be a little difficult at first, even though she already knew for so many years. Still, she has had the bible slammed and spoon-fed to her for her entire life. But she doesn’t care. And don’t worry, she loves you to bits, and your future boyfriend becomes her best friend. He will open her life and her eyes (sometimes too much if you ask me).

It’s not a sin to love, it’s not wrong to love. Love is the most beautiful thing there is, in all its shapes and colors.

You get to finally be who you are, and you always have the freedom to love whoever you want.

Yours truly,
Yourself... from the future.

Brandon Groenen is a 22-year-old Belgian Model living in his apartment together with his fiancé and two cats named Tristan and Nikita.

Read more letters in our National Coming Out Day section on Gay.com.