A good, good day.
Went to Lens Crafters around 9:45 am — after a surprisingly easy time getting the topper on. For the second straight morning my wife took the time to style my bio hair first, which is a big help. Hopefully I'll start to get the hang of that.
We walked in and started looking at glasses, and a really lovely, helpful sales associate came over and said "can I help you ladies?" And she was wonderful. The first pair she picked out for me were perfect. We tried like another dozen pairs at her suggestions (with her taking photos for comparison along the way) but landed on the first - a nice, smart burgundy frame.
And then because they were having a deal, for the first time in my life I got prescription sun glasses. For these they're a bit bigger, more fun, and purple. I mean.. we are NOT in Kansas anymore!
When I mentioned earlier about showing my ID... what I meant was what happened next. When we went to check out, she had to pull up my insurance and account. So if she didn't know I was trans before she did then. Fine with me. And fine with her. She didn't blink. The conversation didn't change... she just, at one point, asked what I liked to be called, and changed my name in the system. Which is now the first place I've had that done.
Who had Lens Crafters in THAT pool? If so, you're a millionaire.
We were done so soon we had time to kill, so my wife thought it would be a good time to do some clothes shopping for me. To this point, all of that has been done online. Mostly by my wife.. some with me helping too, but mostly her. But she knew I had some ideas about what style would work for me... so said it was time to go try to put it together.
And that's what we did. We shopped for like an hour. Bought three tops, and a couple of open long cardigan sweaters. I thought those would be a nice look for me, and I was right.
After shopping, straight out to lunch. Again with the "good afternoon ladies..."
We had two different staff members touch the table, and both of them greeted us with some form of that.
Afterwards I said to my wife I was dubious as to whether or not the really bought into me. She disagreed.
But the I realized - what is the actual difference? Whether they thought I was a woman, or just being kind... either way the experience is the same. And the only way I can make it less than is to somehow try to make that difference be some critical tipping point.
There's absolutely no need to give into nonsense. So... that was the lesson learned today.
When we got home, we had a fashion show with the new stuff... took some pics to send to my sister, and now I'm going to try to rest up before meeting the boy for dinner.
Oh gosh, almost forgot!
While in car between the various locations? I came out to 11 friends via email, text and FB. Didn't feel up to it last night? Just started ripping off the band aid this morning.
Have already heard some lovely supportive stuff from three of them.
And NOW I'm going to lay down...
Love,
Allie
Edit: Make it nice things from 5 of the 11 now...