If you follow me on social media at all, you probably already know we met this guy.

No, not the Benedict Cumberbatch-ish lookalike on the left – that’s our handsome our son, Aerik. We’ve met him plenty of times. He eats our food.

I’m talking about the dashing gentleman on the right; The leader of our great northern country, land of the strong and free and more poutine than you can shake a fork at, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Just look at us, all put together in this photo like it’s no big thang. You know, just hangin’ with the PM in our fancy people clothes and whatever.

What you may not know is we had no idea we were going to meet Mr. Trudeau until about 90 seconds before it happened. With that in mind, can I just say I’m really proud of myself for not being passed out in a puddle of OMG at his feet in this picture?

There’s a wonderful story to this meeting that I want to tell. It’s a story of community coming together and making something unexpectedly great happen for a family that is still glowing from all that unexpected greatness. And it’s a story of a government supporting its people – all its people.

But first, let’s talk about the most important thing: The Canadian government has introduced a new trans rights bill. Yessssss. When I first heard the news, I burst into happy tears. Mascara = gone. Eyes = red from crying. I was elated.

I’ve personally been fighting for a bill like this for over two years, since Alexis first came out to us. I’ve contacted politicians, engaged with media, and stood on Parliament Hill with other protesters when it looked like the last bill would stall and die in the senate (and it did.) When Trudeau was first elected, I even wrote him an open letter, urging him to keep his promise of supporting the trans community. And yet, if I look at the bigger picture, my contributions are virtually non-existent compared to the efforts of trans activists who have been fighting for a lifetime. They deserve serious recognition for the work they’ve done.

If passed, this bill will ensure people like my wife and daughter are protected from discrimination when it comes to big things like employment, housing and hate crimes. This is the country’s seventh attempt to get a bill like this passed through the appropriate channels in order to make it law. Seventh. It has fallen apart each time; proof we’re no strangers to transphobia in Canada, no matter what some might think.

So what’s different this time? The biggest difference is it’s the first time such a bill has been introduced by a sitting government, meaning it stands a good very chance of passing. I’m cautiously booking the confetti cannon rental.

To celebrate this historic day, various members of the government invited various members of the trans community and their supporters to the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 17 ^th – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Gold star for symbolism, you guys.

We were invited as guests of Anita Vanderbeld, the Liberal Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean. We don’t live in the area she represents, but one of our school board’s trustees does. Donna Blackburn reached out to Anita, who was more than happy to have us to Parliament as her guests. I think I said something like, “OMGTHATSGREATWHATAMIGOINGTOWEAR” when I found out we were going.

We got up ridiculously early last Tuesday, a chilly but sunny spring day, dressed everyone in fancy folk clothes, and made our way to the Hill. My shoes hurt like a bitch. There wasn’t enough coffee in the world to deal with my level of tired. I wasn’t sure my hair was going to cooperate with the new product I bought the day before after finding out my usual product has been discontinued. It was all very difficult. You can’t even understand.

The bill was introduced and tabled (standard procedure).  There was a kick ass press conference to celebrate. Lots of cheers and tears and all that good stuff.

A few minutes later, as we were sitting in our seats in the House of Commons, Anita came in and whispered, “Come with me right now. You’re going to meet the prime minister.”

Confession time: I have a small crush on this man. Just a little one. Nothing pervy, I promise. I’m not out to break up anyone’s marriage; I just want him to sit down in front of a roaring fire with me and discuss the importance of feminism. After we go skating on the Rideau Canal, of course. And take selfies. And maybe Periscope a bit about how great Canada is. No big deal, ok?

So I’m pretty sure I literally jumped out of my seat – completely ladylike, of course – and calmly-not-so-calmly made my way down the hallway with the rest of my stunned family members, Donna the trustee, and two of our close friends (another trans kiddo and his mom.) We stood in the hallway at the top of a staircase for a few seconds before Justin Trudeau – the Justin Trudeau, handsome feminist leader with great hair – made his way up to meet us IN THE ACTUAL FACE.

He introduced himself to all of us, beginning with the kids, and even getting down to Jackson’s 9-year-old level to say hello in what I can only describe as the sweetest thing ever. He shook my hand and I didn’t melt on the spot, which I think earns me a damn medal.

And in case you were wondering, he was as kind, as sincere and as compassionate as my schoolgirl brain had imagined he’d be. There was no air of arrogance or inequality. I’m sure he was rushed, but he never let on.

We chatted for a few short but meaningful minutes. When I tried to thank him and his government for the great work they’re doing, he brushed it off, saying he was happy to do a small part to help a much larger movement.

And then, with no cameras on him and nothing to prove to anyone, he thanked us. Us!

He thanked our family for living so openly and bravely, saying something about how change is made through example.  I can’t remember everything that was said on account of trying to keep from reaching over and hugging him hard around the nice men with the weapons. But it was heartfelt. I’ll always remember that.

And then he said, “Let’s take a picture!” And we did. You guys, he had his arm around me for the greatest few seconds of my life and his suit felt wonderful. Then he asked Zoe to come over and I felt my heart sink a little but then I got over it and I don’t even hate her, because it was still awesome.

And then we said our goodbyes, and he was off. I’m sad to report he did not ride off on a shiny unicorn like I had always speculated he would, but his exit was still majestic.

A few minutes later, we were pulled out of our seats again to meet with Justice Minister Jodi Wilson-Raybould, and we were able to thank her for everything she’s done, too. Another great meeting with another politician I couldn’t possibly dislike if I tried. Canadian justice should be proud to have such a strong and dedicated woman at the helm.

Finally, worn out from all these surprise meetings, gushing all over people (including many trans advocates we had never met in person before) and bouncing between several media interviews, we were treated to a delicious lunch in the Parliamentary Restaurant by our local MP, Karen McCrimmon. I’m so proud to have given her my vote, because she is everything I had hoped and more.

It was an incredible day on all fronts. But here’s the underlying message I left with: Our government supports trans people.

When my kids look at the picture of us with the Prime Minister – which I framed and put in the living room and maturely resisted putting heart stickers all over – I hope they see what I see: That our government has our back. That they want to protect our family. That the leader of our country and his party aren’t shying away from the trans community like governments past, but embracing them. Engaging with them. Taking photos with them. Allying themselves with them. It’s beautiful, it’s historic, and it will remain a major highlight of my work in advocacy.

We still have so much work to do. Laws are crucial, but so is changing hearts and minds on a broader scale. Society has a long way to go before it fully accepts the trans community, stops being afraid of them, stops discriminating against and harming them.

But I have more faith than ever we’ll get there.  Hopefully on unicorns.