This is a message that I am pleased to finally write, and I am so glad to share it with you. Thank you to all of my friends that helped me during this, my brother who has never judged me for even a moment, and anyone who comes across this wondering what it's about.

Hello! I'm Miles, he/him, 24 years old. I began my HRT journey four years ago. One of the two things that I'd always dreamed of during my transition was the voice change (success!) and top surgery.

I don't think I'd ever seen this as an option before due to financial reasons, helping to support myself and my brother through college. But after seeing my roommate transform into a happier person after his top surgery, I realized that I did not have to live like this anymore. I no longer have to step outside and feel this overwhelming wave of dysphoria. It really helped knowing that I was not alone, that there are more people going through this than I realized.

The funds are going specifically towards:

• the surgery

• lab costs and appointments

• pain medication, anesthesia

• recovery and post-op

Along with this, I am moving out of my dad's place after graduating college. A lot of life changes are happening at once, and I'm pretty excited about it! I am asking for anything that you can provide, right now, in this moment. I am looking for about 2.5k. It means a lot to me that I'm able to do this, and I hope that this gratitude is transparent to you.

I plan to send the letter in April, and I should receive a consultation soon. My gender therapist has stuck with me over the course of the school year, and I appreciate her sticking with me. I'd also like to thank all of my trans friends who have undergone top surgery and offered me advice (and pillows) that I can use during mine.

Thank you so much for reading to the end, and I appreciate every second!