I was supposed to go to bed, but I wanted to share a pretty cool day:
Remember the story of when I got my drivers license and the lady from the front desk misgendered me? Well, Sue and I went back today to change the names on all our vehicle titles and registrations. We checked in at the front desk, and the same lady was there. I don't know if she recognized me from last time, but things were a bit different this time. "How can I help you ladies?" She checked us in, we got called to the counter, and Kay helped us through tons of paperwork and signatures. She was even apologetic that I had to sign my old name on the forms as the seller, then pointed out where to sign as Stephanie as the buyer. When she told me I had to sign my old name, I joked that I hated that, but I thought I remembered how. She smiled and was completely sympathetic. Throughout it all she was totally cool and helpful, and finished with, "You ladies have a nice day!" We got the same send off from the lady at the front desk.
Then we went to Darrell's restaurant, where they'd thrown the impromptu party after my name change hearing, for a late breakfast. Remember my semi-meltdown a few weeks ago when the waitress had misgendered me? This time she was completely cool. "What can I get you girls?" "Would you ladies like separate checks," etc. I should have pushed the envelope and introduced Sue as my wife. That could have been fun.
Next up: a friend of mine is looking at a plane to buy, and the seller flew it to a local airport today. My friend told the seller she really wanted her girlfriend Stephanie to inspect it, so I drove over, met the owner, who greeted me with, "It's Stephanie, right? It's nice to meet you!" and we ladies, along with a friend who hangs out in my shop in the winter, went over the plane with a fine-tooth comb. I got warm fuzzies when the owner got ready to leave and said again, "Stephanie, it was nice to meet you." He didn't show any awkwardness, and I think he really didn't know. I was even happy with my voice. Squeeeeeee!
The only awkward part was when my workshop friend kept deadnaming me. I told him later that when he got it wrong, just move on and don't draw attention to it. "Steve" could conceivably be a nickname for Stephanie, so don't make a big deal out of it. But work on it!
To top off the day and celebrate (my friend put a deposit on the plane) we went to Olive Garden for lunch and I was properly gendered for the entire time by the hostess, waiter, and bartender. I smiled at everyone and they all smiled back, including the ladies at the next table.
Later in the evening I got to sit down and have my almost-nightly girl-talk text session with Cassie and tell her all this, and we traded sisterly advice and encouragement until it was time for bed.
I'm feeling so incredibly... incredible right now.
Stephanie
