Editors' note: Though Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, no longer uses her birth name and prefers female pronouns , she had not yet indicated at the time of this writing that she would like to be known by a new name or female pronouns, so this story refers to her as "Bruce" and uses male pronouns.

By now, Bruce Jenner has revealed his struggle with gender dysphoria.

I never would have dared to speak on this issue before he was comfortable enough to do so first. It is, after all, his truth, so I knew he should be afforded the dignity to reveal that truth on his own time and in the way he sees fit.

I have respectfully kept his secrets private and would have taken his confidences to my grave had he not spoken out.

But now, many years into his remarkable life, he has spoken out. His legacy will likely be sprinkled with references such as "Olympian," "decathlon gold medalist," "world's greatest athlete," "son," "brother," "husband," "father," "grandfather," "friend," and, hopefully, "pioneer" and "trailblazer for the civil rights of the transgender community."

So as much as this is about Bruce, it's not all about him. The sharing of my experience is meant to enlighten and inform -- to lend a modicum of comfort and support for all those disenfranchised, struggling, discriminated against, searching souls.

Bruce's story, and his struggle, is uniquely his; my experiences with Bruce are commensurately uniquely my own.

Following is a brief history of my time with Bruce -- a life experience that shaped my existence immeasurably.