I was 13 and on on a short vacation with my 3 younger sisters,  mom and dad, sharing one hotel room. I went to the bathroom and saw blood in my underwear. I sat for a few minutes in shock and confusion. Then I called out to my mother. She came into the bathroom, looked at my underwear, said something like "Oh, you got your period".  She left the bathroom to get me some clean underwear and I heard her gleefully announce to my sisters and my father "Anne is a woman".  I was so embarrassed, and felt sad and alone.

---Anne