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Concept: Memory During Infancy through Toddlerhood Stage of Life 

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During infancy, the concept I felt most connected to was memory during the infancy through toddlerhood stage of life.  I always attach a memory to random places or things. For example, when I was younger, my parents hosted my second birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza and the theme was Winnie the Pooh since it was my mother's favorite cartoon character. Although I was young, I have a memory of being at the party and being carried by my father while he was wearing a Winnie the Pooh shirt. Now, whenever I see Winnie the Pooh, I feel utter happiness as I am reminded of my mother and father during my birthday party.
One age-graded event that occurred during this stage was meeting my brother for the first time at birth. I recall my mother telling us how excited he was when he was carrying me and how excited he was to finally be a big brother.

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Infancy Development: History Graded Event 

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Infancy Development: History Graded Event 

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One history graded event was when the Star Wars Franchise movies were released as I grew up watching them with my uncles and brother which ignited the love I have for the movies now.

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Concept: Gender Stereotypes, Gender Differences, and Gender Development 

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Growing up and in elementary, I felt like an outsider. I remember always wanting to play with the boys in class but, was always told I could not simply because they “play rough” and I should instead play with girl toys or play with the toy kitchen. How could I explain that I wanted to play with the boys simply because I felt I was a boy inside? I remember experiencing aggression because I struggled with my gender identity and felt a disconnect between what my brain identified as and what my physical appearance showed.
One non-normative event that occurred during this time was realizing I would be a girl for the rest of my life. I was young and felt that was it for me but, now that I am older and have these resources, my younger self would not believe me.

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Early Childhood Development- Trans Military Ban 

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Early Childhood Development- Trans Military Ban 

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One world event that influenced my development was when the ban against women in military combat was overturned and thus, allowed women to fight in the military. I felt this affected me indirectly as it later paved the way to allowing transgender people to fight in the military. I have always felt it was my duty to fight for my country but, up until recently, I was unable to.

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Concept: Siblings in Families of Middle Childhood 

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I have an older brother that is now 26 and a younger sister that is 14 so that put me right smack in the middle. Though sibling rivalry was always present in our household, my siblings are my best friend and I can confide in them for anything I may be experiencing and encountering. When I was in my middle childhood years, I spent the majority of the time with my older brother and once my sister was born, spent our time with her as well. I remember going to my grandmother's house when our parents would go to work or on errands and we would do almost everything together. Sibling rivalry was later established as my brother would finish school and I would enter and be taught by some of the same teachers he had. I remember almost every teacher had something good to say about him and would always say how smart he was in their class. Growing up, I always felt I had to be better than my brother and admit when my brother would receive praises, I would fill with jealousy.
A non-normative event that happened during this stage was the loss of my younger unborn brother. My mother became pregnant with a baby and at about month 3 or 4 of her pregnancy, we unexpectedly lost the baby. The loss affected our family in different ways but, knew that my brother and I had to be there and support our parents regardless if we didn't know what was going on being so young. I definitely feel that brought us so much closer as siblings and family.
An age-graded event that I experienced was the birth of my sibling. 1 year after the loss of my younger brother, my younger sister was born and my brother and I would help our parents with everything to care for her and thus, we built that relationship with her.

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Middle Childhood Development: History-Graded Event 

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Middle Childhood Development: History-Graded Event 

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A history graded event that occurred during this stage was the release of various cartoon episodes that became so famous in the world such as "Phineas and Ferb" and "ICarly". Though not major events, I always get a feeling of nostalgia as I come across these shows. I recall times when my grandparents would make us breakfast on Saturday mornings while my siblings and I would watch these shows and I remember feeling like I was the happiest I could ever be to be surrounded by my best friends.

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I connected with this concept the most because I experienced depression, a suicidal attempt and anxiety and felt it peak during my high school years. I came out as bisexual initially when I was in 10th grade and then as a lesbian in 11th grade and though I came out as transgender while in college, I felt the majority of the effects of my depression in high school. I struggled everyday attempting to label myself and my sexual orientation and would cause unwanted stress.
One age-graded personal event that I experienced was the development of my sexual orientation. During my adolescent years, I experimented and thought a lot about who I was and who I liked. With much thinking, I decided to accept who I was and show the world that I was proud.
One non-normative personal event was the suicide attempt that occurred when I was in 11th grade. I do not remember much but, I do remember feeling helpless and alone. I felt the world would be better without me and felt I would never be enough for my family.

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Legalization of Same Sex Marriage in 2015 

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One world event that directly affected my development during the time was when same-sex marriage was legalized in June 2015. I remember I was volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club when I heard the news. I felt happiness and pride overcome my body at hearing the news. I could finally marry the girl I love and be the person I am.

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Concept: Physical Development in Early Adulthood 

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I connected with this concept the most because I experienced the most changes during this stage. I began testosterone when I was 22 and being in quarantine, I was able to experience my body transitioning from the female body I always knew to the male body I always wished I had.
One non-normative event was transitioning in general. While not everybody experiences what it is like to medically transition all because you identify with the opposite gender, it happened to me. I did not expect to feel the way I felt. I always felt like an outsider and had no place in the world. Now, I feel I am 100% my most authentic self and transitioning and starting hormone replacement therapy was the missing puzzle piece into becoming the person I am today. I am now over 1 year on testosterone and the physical changes have been awesome!

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Early Adulthood Development: History-Graded Event 

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Early Adulthood Development: History-Graded Event 

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One history-graded event that affected my development was the COVID-19 pandemic. Though 2020 was such a whirlwind and will remain in the record books forever, I began testosterone in 2020. Being in quarantine, I spent time experiencing the changes my body was going through with every shot I injected and embraced them. Each change taught me to love the person I was becoming.