Things are falling into place

[Jen♀]

Well, I've come out to another friend. He was *extremely* supportive, which is awesome. Right away he wanted to know what he should call me, if I've thought of names, how I'd like to go about coming out to more people – it was great. He said it'll take some getting used to, but he's backing me 100%. In school as I tried to hold the door open for him and his girlfriend, he held the door and smiled and told me to go. It's so tiny a thing, but the way that we just let it pass unspoken of was kind of cool

Second thing: my therapist used female pronouns in an email to my mom. As my mom read me the email I got this pit feeling in my stomach; unfortunately it wasn't a good "pit feeling" :/ was anyone else kind of nervous when it reached this point? I think a lot of the feeling came from the fact that it was with my mom – she's supportive but everything is definitely taking a toll on her. When I think of friends using female pronouns it seems right, and I look forward to it. I guess I'm just nervous about my parents.. :/

Thirdly: In the email my therapist suggested that we do some shopping. Soooo, I believe within a few days I'll be buying some clothes online!

Finally: I think I may have found a name: Arietta Roselyn. (First and middle name). If/when I use this as my name, I thought I could maybe go by Aria for short. What do you think?

[Robin Mack]

Wow... sounds like you're doing great!  Congratulations on being out to your mom and a close friend.  Glad to hear your friend was so accepting.  Gentlemanly courtesy does take some getting used to, doesn't it?

It's not unusual for people to have the feelings you describe; your mother has known you all your life, and you are taking steps into the unfamiliar.  While the inside you has been female, the outside you has *not*, and you have a lot of feelings/habits/behaviors to work through.  Just remember that just because something is uncomfortable doesn't mean you should avoid it.  This is one of those things you need to work through, and obviously your therapist believed you were ready for it.

I'm so excited for you!  Congratulations!   

*hug*

Edit:  OH!  And the name is beautiful, by the way.

[Jessica Merriman]

Beautiful name baby! So glad you have some people in your corner.

[Jen♀]

Thanks so much, both of you!!

Gentlemanly courtesy does take some getting used to, doesn't it?

Yes, this is so true. As excited as I was that he was "going out of his way" to make me feel better, I still felt that "oh... this is new" feeling... Like you said, I'm going to have to get used to some behaviors

[Sammy]

Hi I just wanted to let You know that from experience parents are indeed the most difficult ones You know, they are the only ones who have known You for all of Your life and now, they are learning that they have never known the real You. It is quite a daunting and also painfull experience as they come through different stages of acceptance within themselves. I know that my mother struggled and I suspect that she still does – she is still using male pronouns with me, but at the same time she gives me advice on makeup and clothing, and even picks androgynous and borderline-feminine things up for me in thrift shops – so Your therapist's advice about shopping was certainly an experienced one . And You can both later join in and try those things on, mix and match and start getting that female bonding experience between Yourselves, while You both sip coffee or wine .