New to Susan's

[Tmh88]

     Hi there, I'm Toni. I am a 24 (soon to be 25) year old mtf who has just recently finally accepted that fact. This is the first forum that I have joined and I am sure it will help me along in my journey that is to come. My wife and I have been married for four and a half years today, and she has also just accepted who I am after we both fought it for the majority of our marriage. I didn't start to recognize my feelings of wishing I was born a girl until shortly after we were married, though looking back they were always there in one form or another throughout my lifetime. We are both hoping to make things work though we also realize the odds are against us.

     I have not been to the local support group yet and I am hoping joining this site will make for an easier transition when I do start attending. Educating middle schoolers is currently what I do, and am hoping to continue in some form or fashion during, or atleast after, transitioning. I have been seeing a counselor for approximately two to three months and I am very eager and excited to begin my adventure that is transitioning. If you have any questions or advice please let me know! Thanks for reading!

Toni

[Devlyn]

Hi Toni, welcome to Susan's Place! Glad you found us, we always have room for new friends here! Hugs, Devlyn

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Hi Toni,

Welcome to our little family. Over 9363 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.

And be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks ( including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Reputation Rules
  
• Age and the Forum
  
• Photo, avatars, and signature images policy
  

Janet 

[Jamie D]

Welcome Toni.  We have a "Significant Other" board designed for people like your wife, to better help them understand what you are going through. 

She is more than welcome to join too.

[Tmh88]

Thanks for the welcome! As I read through various post and threads everyone seems so friendly and thoughtful. There also seems to be a huge wealth of knowledge from so many different perspectives. Those are two of the reasons I chose Susan's. I hope to learn from everyone here and maybe even share my own experiences.

I will mention the SO forum to my wife to see if she is interested, or might be in the future. Thanks for welcoming me to the family!

[Charley Bea(EmeraldP)]

Hello Toni and welcome to the site.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Toni,

A big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.

There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in start talking and ask any question you like. You're quite safe here and we are very accepting.

Good to hear things are working well with your wife, marriage and life in general. A therapist is a very good investment in your future.

Transitioning is one of those things where everything is up for negotiation, bar none. Anything less is a compromise, for all parties concerned. The cost is greater than your gross national debt, but the rewards are beyond your current belief.

The other good reason for joining is, you've become part of an international family. It's not just a site, you've chosen to be family.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[Tmh88]

Thanks for the welcome Emerald and Catherine. My wife and I are taking things one day at a time, but she has been really supportive so I know I am very lucky there. We have both come a long ways since I told her about my gender identity confusion about four years ago. I feel soooo much better just accepting that this is me, or at least a part of who I am. Therapy has been extremely helpful in recognizing what it is I want and need, I had a problem figuring out anything gender related before. Thanks again for your responses and welcoming me to the family!

Toni

[Tmh88]

Well almost three years later I am back where I was. I touched bases on another post I had, but wanted to sort of re-introduce myself through my original intro post. Suppressing thoughts and feelings can be easy at times by making yourself busy with other things (skateboarding, playing guitar in a band, and playing semi-professional football were the things for me). That's what I did.... but as with others, gender dysphoria doesn't typically disappear. I moved from Missouri to Socal about a year and a half ago and was struggling to make it. Now that I have a solid job in education again I find myself with time to actually enjoy life and the free time I now have. Sure enough, as I have had time to think, the confusions I thought I had 'beat' has returned. I met with a new counselor on Monday, who is much better suited to work with me than the previous counselors I had seen years ago. I have been 'out' in public once so far and really enjoyed it. Once is not a large enough sample size to go on of course! I was able to go out and purchase an outfit today though, and look forward to doubling my total outings within the next week sometime I was going to post a couple pictures, but I think I am a post or two shy of being able to do so. So very soon!

[V M]

Welcome back Toni    Glad to have you here again, glad to hear things are going well for you

Hugs

V M

[Tmh88]

Well, almost another three years later, I am back... so here we go! Same ole, same ole... Sorting things out, yada yada.... contemplating transitioning again. I'm in the Corvallis, Oregon area for now, though I'll probably end up in Sacramento, Portland, or Seattle. Just some FYI as I'm getting reacquainted with the forum. I hope everyone is doing well in their journey! Thanks for having me!

Toni

[Alice V]

Welcome back
I'm new one here and we don't met in past. That dysphoria stuff never really left us, huh? Everytime I have a moment to stop, relax and think it comes back, so I decided to work on giving transition chance if docs in my country will give that chance to me
Nice to meet you

[KathyLauren]

Well, almost another three years later, I am back... so here we go! Same ole, same ole... Sorting things out, yada yada.... contemplating transitioning again. I'm in the Corvallis, Oregon area for now, though I'll probably end up in Sacramento, Portland, or Seattle. Just some FYI as I'm getting reacquainted with the forum. I hope everyone is doing well in their journey! Thanks for having me!

Toni

Hi, Tony!  Welcome back to Susan's Place.

I know you're not new here, but it's been a while.  Here is some information that we like to share with new members:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	Cautionary Note	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

[Northern Star Girl]

Well, almost another three years later, I am back... so here we go! Same ole, same ole... Sorting things out, yada yada.... contemplating transitioning again. I'm in the Corvallis, Oregon area for now, though I'll probably end up in Sacramento, Portland, or Seattle. Just some FYI as I'm getting reacquainted with the forum. I hope everyone is doing well in their journey! Thanks for having me!

Toni

@Tmh88
Hello Toni:   
Thank you for coming back to again be an active member of Susan's Place, and thank you for your re-introduction postings after being gone for almost 3 years. 
I see that our lovely member  @KathyLauren  gave you her Welcome Back Message.

Please allow me to also give you a warm Welcome BACK to Susan's Place.   You will find that it is a safe and friendly place to be to share your story and to hear what others have to say regarding subjects of interest too you.

Now that you have written your re-introduction post here you will now be seen by many members here on the forums and will able to have more give and take and sharing of thoughts with other like-minded members here.
There is a good chance too that you can make some new friends here on the forums.

Please be certain to look at the Susan's Place informational LINKS that  KathyLauren   included at the end of her Welcome Message.  Pay particular attention to the LINKS IN RED, there will be answers for questions that most new members will ask.

Again, Welcome back to Susan's Place,
Danielle