Dear Nephew,

I love you.

Dear Nephew,

Hi. I miss you.

I have never excelled at emoting. I keep most of my feelings and thoughts tucked in, hidden under the guise of introversion, often mistaken for strength and courage. I am not great with a pen, so to say, yet here I am, finally finding the drive to write again.

You see, mon neveu, I struggled to find words worth sharing. I struggled not only to unravel my thoughts, but also how to activate my thoughts into actions. I still haven’t quite figured that out. Today is an important day for me, and I choose to celebrate it by writing to you, neveu.

Knowing that the folks serving as legislators for our state don’t want you to exist as you are both crushes and energizes me. I’ve never felt so completely disconnected and entirely focused at the same time. You are part of my family, and I will always work to make sure you know that is my choice to love you, accept you, and celebrate you, completely as you are.

My soul is shattered, my thoughts are scattered, and I am having issues simply pushing the buttons on my keyboard. MI sobrino, I feel broken. My analytical side is not connecting to my creative side. I need to share some things I believe and really want you to know. Please forgive my clumsiness.

• I love you

• Iowa is better because you are here.

• I will never stop working to ensure you are safe.

• I will make acceptance louder than the cries for assimilation.

• YOU are the future worth fighting for.

• Showing up as your authentic self is so very brave. As the youth might say, “you a baddie”.

• Bravery is not the absence of fear. Sometimes, bravery is doing it anyway.

• To quote Jonathan Larson: “The opposite of war isn’t peace, it’s creation.”

• You don’t need to find the silver lining in a situation. You are the glimmer of hope we all need.

• Simple is not always easy.

• I’m so grateful to know you. Fortune found me by leading me down a road that connected me to your path.

• I will work to make this dwelling your home.

• I love you.

племінник, you make me a more mindful person. Today, I sought out The Slow Down for coffee. I specifically went there because they are your ally. I am happy to give my very hard earned money to them. I thanked Drew for what he and Kara shared on their social media in response to hateful legislation passed on February 27, 2025. I told him that it mattered to me, it matters to the people I love. I know what that can cost them, and at bare minimum, they deserve to know their bravery is appreciated.

It absolutely repulses me that this state is both writing and passing legislation that legalizes hate towards you. Joka, I can’t imagine the fear and hurt you may be feeling. Joka, I don’t share these things to make you feel like you must comfort me. I share these things with you to know you give me strength and power. Joka, strength is the ability to challenge what you know. Power is applying what we learn from each other. You are inspiring. You being your authentic self is inspiring.

I will never stop fighting for you. I will not let anyone think I’m okay with legalizing hate. I will do everything I can to make sure that these stumbles (nicest word I could think of) from the humans ELECTED TO SERVE IOWANS are not reading the last rites of Iowa’s humanity.

With love,

AI