My kiddo came out at age 6. He(at the time) said," I don't feel like a girl inside." I've used these words to help explain it to people who don't understand. I didn't understand until she used those words. FEEL is the key word. Many people I've talked to understood a little more after a conversation. It's not a decision like,"I want to be a Fireman when I grow up." Congrats on living your truth. It's never too late! We've come a long ways but still have a long ways to go. Here's a piece I wrote a few years back about the bravest girl I know, my daughter. https://medium.com/swlh/be-how-you-feel-b2ef0daa36c