This year is my first Pride as an openly gay man.

That sentence alone feels like a quiet revolution. Not because I plan to dance on a float or drape myself in rainbow flags, but because for the first time in my life, I am not hiding.

I am not pretending.I am not compartmentalising.I am not apologising.

I am simply... me.

And that is Pride.

Pride Is Not Always Loud

When I was younger, I used to think Pride was all about parades and glitter and parties. I saw the images on TV: crowds cheering, flags waving, music pounding through the streets. And while that is a beautiful expression of queer joy, it felt like a world I did not belong in. I did not feel bold or loud or colourful. I felt scared. Alone. Torn between identities.

For many of us, especially those who came out later in life or grew up in faith communities that shamed our existence, Pride is not always about spectacle. It is about survival. It is about whispering the truth to ourselves before we can ever shout it to the world.

This year, I will likely not attend a parade. There will be no big rainbow moment on my calendar. My Pride will likely unfold quietly in my own thoughts – walking in nature, writing these words, maybe even lighting a candle just to say, “I am here. And I am proud.”

That counts too.

Coming Out Later Brings Its Own Kind of Grief

No one tells you how much you mourn when you finally come out.

Yes, there is relief. There is freedom. But there is also a deep ache for the years you lost, the truths you swallowed, the versions of yourself that you buried just to survive.

I came out as an adult. After a marriage. After children. After years of ministry. My life was built on a version of me that was not fully real, even though I was doing my best at the time. Coming out did not just change my present – it forced me to re-see my past.

And that is the strange thing about Pride: it holds both grief and celebration in the same breath.It says, “I mourn the time I lost,” and also, “I am glad I made it here.”

If you are feeling both – the joy of becoming and the sorrow of what was – you are not doing it wrong.You are just being human.

Pride Is Also for the Quiet Ones

You do not have to wear glitter.You do not have to kiss someone in the street.You do not have to post a selfie with #LoveIsLove to be valid.

Pride is not performance.It is presence.

It is looking in the mirror and not flinching.It is telling the truth, even when it shakes your voice.It is letting yourself love, fully, freely, without needing permission.

This year, my Pride is knowing that my partner sees all of me and stays.That my children know the truth and still hug me goodnight.That I am building something – Bravely Me – to help others do the same.

That is not quiet. That is revolutionary.

You Are Not Behind. You Are Here.

It is easy to scroll through Pride content and feel late to the party, especially if you are only just figuring out your identity or still afraid to say it out loud.

But here is the truth I wish someone had told me:

There is no timeline for becoming yourself.

You did not miss your chance.You did not mess it up.You are not too old, too awkward, too late, too anything.

You are exactly where you need to be, and Pride meets you there.

So whether you are out and loud, or quiet and questioning, or just dipping your toes into your truth…You belong here.

Pride as a Sacred Act

For me, Pride is not just political. It is sacred.

It is reclaiming my right to exist.To love.To be whole.To be held by God without shame.To belong to myself, without needing to shrink.

I used to pray for God to take this part of me away. Now I pray in thanks that it never left.

Want to Explore This More Gently?

If any of this feels familiar – if you are finding your way through questions of identity, faith, grief, or simply becoming yourself – I have put together something gentle that might offer some comfort:

The Bravery Guide – My free grounding tool for navigating change with care.

You can get your copy here:👉 www.sendfox.com/bravelyme

No spam. No noise. Just real support for when you are becoming more of yourself.

When someone you love is far away, staying close takes more than Wi-Fi and good intentions.

In this episode of Family Across Borders, we explore how to keep connection strong between visits - without guilt, pressure, or performative effort. You’ll learn how emotional presence matters more than frequency, why silence doesn’t mean disconnection, and how small rituals can anchor love across distance.

Whether you’re in a long-distance relationship, navigating family abroad, or simply missing someone right now - this is a gentle, practical guide to loving from afar.

In this episode of the Bravely Me Pod, we explore how to face goodbyes with presence, softness, and honesty

especially when they come often and hurt more than expected.

We talk about:

* Why it’s okay to feel emotional at the end of a visit

* The most common lies we believe about staying strong

* Cultural and spiritual wisdom around parting

* Three grounded rituals to help you leave with presence

* How to stay open without breaking down

Whether you’re saying goodbye to a partner, family member, or chosen friend, this episode is for anyone holding love across distance.

You are not too much. Your grief is not weakness.And goodbye doesn’t mean the connection is gone.

Next week: Loving from a DistanceHow to keep connection alive between visits.

Listen now and share your own goodbye rituals in the comments.

Bravely Me Podcast (Ep. 2)How to create meaningful time together without pressure, perfection, or overplanning

Hey Brave Ones,

Have you ever counted down the days until an in-person visit with someone you love, only to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or like it didn’t go "perfectly"? You’re not alone.

In this week’s episode of the Bravely Me Podcast, we’re talking about how to make your in-person visits truly count.Not through pressure.Not by packing every second with activities.But through intention, presence, and honest expectations.

Whether you're in a long-distance relationship, visiting family abroad, or navigating co-parenting across borders, this one’s for you.

In this episode:• Why visits can feel more intense than everyday life (and how to soften that pressure)• What to do when expectations clash or the mood is off• Three simple ways to build spaciousness into your time together• How to create shared memories without needing a perfect plan

Key takeaways:• Meaningful connection happens in the in-between moments• It’s okay if some of the visit feels quiet, messy, or awkward• A small ritual, like a night walk, journaling side by side, or a shared playlist, can mean more than a grand gesture

I’d love to hear from youWhat helps you stay grounded and present during visits with loved ones?Reply to this post or message Bravely Me

on Instagram: @bravelyme.eu

Explore more:www.bravelyme.eu

www.linktr.ee/bravelyme

Coming up next:After the Goodbye. A grounded, honest conversation about what happens emotionally after a visit ends, and how to stay connected through the quiet that follows.

Warmly,Chris (Bravely Me)[email protected] | @bravelyme.eu

Podcast Episode Notes: "Staying Close Across Distance: How to Use Technology to Build Real Connection"

Episode Description: In today's increasingly digital world, maintaining meaningful connections with loved ones across distance remains a challenge. This episode explores how we can transform technology from a mere substitute for physical presence into a bridge for authentic connection. Join us as we debunk common misconceptions about long-distance relationships and discover practical strategies to nurture closeness regardless of geography.

What You'll Learn:

Why feeling disconnected during video calls is normal and doesn't mean your relationship is failing

Three common misconceptions about long-distance connections and how to overcome them

Practical "connection rituals" that create consistency without requiring perfect communication

How to personalize your approach to digital connection based on your unique relationship

Key Highlights:

Connection isn't measured by geography but revealed through intentional effort

Consistency matters more than intensity in maintaining long-distance relationships

Voice notes create more intimate connection than text messages

Creating shared rituals builds rhythm and deepens bonds across distance

Resources Mentioned:

"Anchor Moments" scheduling technique

Voice note communication strategy

Shared ritual creation guide

Next Week's Episode: Join us as we discuss how to make your in-person visits count - planning meaningful time together without pressure or expectations.

Connect With Us: Share your own distance connection stories in the comments! What helps you feel connected across the miles? Who are you thinking about right now?

Tags: #LongDistanceRelationships #DigitalConnection #RelationshipAdvice #TechnologyAndLove #MeaningfulConnection