I have a male friend from uni days (some thirty years I've known him now... oh god, I'm OLD!!!), and he's been with his current partner for 16 years. She and I have always had a fairly civil friendship in that I was really one of "his" friends rather than one of hers, but I did see her a lot and we would chit chat and got along reasonably well. Since I've transitioned she has been very accepting and supportive. I've been playing tennis every week this year with her and one of her girlfriends - and we have a fun time. I've noticed recently that when I ask her about how have things been she will open up about a lot more stuff and chat more than previously, I really feel she is relating to me quite differently now (and me to her, no doubt).
And I think I'm noticing this shift with a lot of my female friends - things were always nice and friendly but there is certainly a deeper quality to that interaction now. Which is great, I'm finally feeling like I'm one of the girls which makes me very, very happy...
