How to get a matching @icloud with free @me account
My apple account was made way back in the day with a gmail account. I signed up for a free @me account with my iPhone 4s. Is there a way to get a matching @icloud.com account? I tried sending myself an email to that account but it doesn't work. However I am able to recieve iMessages and FaceTime calls to that account, just not send email nor receive email from @icloud.
iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 6