Hello,
My name is Daniel and I've been observing this forum for a few months. A little about me. I've known from a very young age that I was different and used to play a female role in games with my cousins. I was raised in the far north in a very small town - we used to say there was 9 months of winter and three months of bad snowmobiling. My family is of a French Catholic background. These two factors meant that I never heard or had a clue of the term transgender until much later in life. However, without knowing the term I knew I was not like the other boys. As I grew up I realized I was attracted to girls but I always wished I could be one. I was 6'3"/240Lbs and built like an NFL linebacker so I never acted on those feelings. I love physical activity so in High School and College I played football and rugby but never really fit in with team mates. I found myself hanging around other groups that matched my personality and truth be told, although I was good in those sports I always considered myself more of a nerd. Through my formative years I did not know why I was different but I new I was so I never quite fit into any group and therefore existed among and between various groups. I'm very much a glass is half full kind of person so I always looked at this as a positive. I got along with everyone. Over the years, I came to understand the feminine nature inside me but due to my physical stature I didn't feel like I could act on it outwardly. I also like to be good at whatever I try so If I don't think that's possible I look for other means to achieve my goals. It caused me to look inwards and reflect on my feelings. I don't mean do make this a statement on anyone's path but for my path I realized the inner person is where the true character lies without regard to the outward appearance. At that point I was able to understand the benefits of combination of the physical form I was born with and the feminine nature I knew I was inside. I don't belive in regrets - only lessons learned that make be a better person. In my case I tried to turn the disappointment I felt into a positive. I believe this combination has allowed me to accomplish many things I would not have been able to had I tried to follow one path alone. A few years ago I left a career as a Military Officer and opened my own small business. That transition has enabled to explore my feelings in more depth and that is how I recently discovered Susan's Place. I have enjoyed reading many of the wonderful posts on this forum and it has really helped me fill in the blanks. I am discovering why I have always felt the way I have and I am very greatful I discovered this "place". I don't know that I will every make any outward changes but the good people of this forum have given me some great lessons that i'm Sure will lead to a deeper understanding of who I am.
I know my path is very different from many of you. Again, this is my story. In the end, I really just want to say "THANK YOU!" to the posters here and encourage you to continue to share your insights with the rest of us. It has made an impact on me and I'm sure many others.
Thank You
Daniel
