Oh my gosh, what a night!
Though a few days late, tonight I attended a birthday party in my honor. While I used to go out for quiet dinners to take advantage of birthday discounts, this is the first real party I can remember being held for me since I was a kid. It was at a German restaurant, and most of the people there for me were new friends who I'd met in just the last year, and with whom I'd formed bonds as deep as any I've ever had.
There was J and her husband. J is very much into the LGBT scene in the Orlando area, and is an advocate, liaison, and enthusiastic supporter.
A and her husband are awesome! They are completely accepting, and are teaching their amazing daughters to be the same. A works with @SassyCassie, which is how I came to know her.
There was D and his incredible wife E. D was my partner in the white taildragger airplane I built, and still get to fly occasionally, though he has bought out my share in the plane. I came out to D and E about the time I finished the plane, and they have enthusiastically embraced my transition. E in particular was extremely helpful in the early days when I was learning makeup and comportment. Last time I had a long talk with her I asked what I could do to improve, and she was at a loss. Apparently I've graduated from Miss E's Finishing School.
Lastly, but most importantly, there was my wife Sue and @SassyCassie, both of whom my steady readers already know.
The party:
I'll tell most of it with pictures, but there were so many warm hugs, gifts, deeply meaningful cards - and being a German restaurant, gemütlichkeit. Through all of my birthdays, I don't think I've ever celebrated one that meant more to me.
E, D, Me, and Dragon Lady (Sue)
D, J, and Cassie
A and P
Me and my cake!
So... it looked like the party was wrapping up, when everyone at the table started pointing me toward the bandstand where the German band was playing, accordion, alpenhorn, and all. They were calling my name. I was being summoned up front along with four others. And it turned out that I had been "volunteered" to take part in a yodeling contest. When I realized that I was going to have to use my voice on the amplifiers, I started to freak out. What if it reverted to my old voice in the middle of it? I considered walking off, but I would never live that down, so I sucked it up, told myself that I'd been through worse, and reminded myself that my goal is to expand my horizons, try all kinds of new things, have fun, and really live.
Number one and two were meh; three, the young woman next to me, did a great job, and when it got to me, I just belted it out. I yodeled as I'd never yodeled before. I'm not sure what that means, considering I'd never yodeled before, but my voice didn't fail me, I hit all the notes, and I wrapped it up with a joyful WOOOOO HOOOOO!! The crowd loved it! I don't know what number five did, but it sure wasn't yodeling.
And so they took a vote. The musician held his hand over each our heads and used their "applause measuring machine" to judge the crowd's reaction. Number three got a great reaction, so I figured I was out. But when he came to me the crowd went wild. OMG!
As it turned out, their "machine" was a joke, and they declared us all winners and gave us each a celebratory shot of schnapps. I was repeatedly told, though, that I'd knocked it out of the park. All I know was that after I got over my fear and let it flow, I had a gleefully fun time.
Here's the thing that completely blew me away. Nobody looked sideways at me. To the entire restaurant I was just another ciswoman having fun celebrating her birthday with friends.
Taking the vote.
Toasting ourselves with schnapps.
The last thing we did before the party broke up was get a picture with all the attending beautiful ladies.
I am so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. I will remember this night forever.
Stephanie
