A story I can only share with this community and a few others:
I went home back east for the first time in 8 years, partly with the idea in mind that this would be the last time seeing family and friends while presenting as male. I had a great visit and was reconsidering transitioning when my mother started dropping obvious hints that she would be supportive of me transitioning.
As we passed Ardene's, the store that is All Things Feminine, she asked if I wanted to go inside (
). The next day she asked if I carry my Purell desanitizer in my purse (
!!!). I passed both comments off as my mother being old, but no, that's not what it was. She is 80 and I am 48.
Not what I was expecting!
How did she even know?
After giving it some thought: she would know better than anyone.
So I returned to the Wet Coast with the support of my mother in transitioning, entirely unexpected.
I ended up renting a room for 10 days from a pro dominatrix and 5 of those days I went out "en femme" - shopping, banking, walking around town, hanging out in coffee shops presenting as a woman. My hostess was generous in allowing me to wear some of her 27 wigs (!) and clothes (heaven!).
It was a bit on the fly, but I had a opportunity to try it and I took it. I am so glad I did. I learned many valuable lessons that will serve me well in transitioning.
My hypothesis was that day to day life would be easier *for me* as a woman and that proved to be correct. I got "sir" on the 5th day - no big deal. Nobody bothered me and I received better customer service overall.
I have found a good paying job but need to find a place to live before getting on with transitioning. I am stoked for the future for the first time in memory. My birthday is in October and that is my timeline for transitioning.
