*Sappy Post Alert* ... getting nostalgic as the last 3 episodes of @prettylittleliars stream TOMORROW on @hbomax! The 2 evenings before the 2 times Shirley (the character I play) wore this locket, also happened to be the only 2 times I’ve received this particular @yogitea message (I brought the messages to set, not knowing Shirley would be wearing said locket that I could place them in). The message reminded me of a line in Max Erhman’s Desiderata, “...You are a child of the Universe...” which my Mother in Law (who we called Mema) and I shared a deep love for. Our family, along with the entire world, lost a Giant LIGHT when Mema transitioned just weeks before the 1st time I received that tea message hug. There are endless reasons why I love & connect to Shirley, but the most dear to me are the beautifully uncanny similarities between Mema and Shirley. And while I’m here appreciating ... although I’ve never quite figured out my “label”, I’ve been fluid ever since I understood attraction. I just never had the bravery to be so, publicly. While it wouldnt have changed the incredible soul mate I get to build life with; I am certain I wouldn’t have been so scared to openly live my truth had I seen someone who looked like me, with a beautiful wife and daughter, on my tv screen ... I feel very lucky to do so as Shirley. She gives me a reason to be honest, and to have conversations with those I feared would disown me. If you’ve gotten this far, holy shit, thank you. And if you have been on this PLL journey with us, thank you so much for watching!