Site News and Information => Introductions => Topic started by: steph2.0 on August 16, 2017, 12:13:52 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Meet and Greet
Post by: steph2.0 on August 16, 2017, 12:13:52 AM
Post by: steph2.0 on August 16, 2017, 12:13:52 AM
Hello All,
Due to some gentle prodding by someone who shall remain anonymous, but whose first initial is Laurie, I will introduce myself. I've been skittering around the forum leaving little messes everywhere without putting anything here yet, so I'm a bit overdue. I think this'll be post number 28.
In a few weeks I'll be celebrating the 30th anniversary of my 29th birthday. I am transgender MtF and started HRT NTLA (Not Too Long Ago) - in fact, the counter below says 1 month 25 days as of this writing.
I am amazed at how similar our gender experiences are, regardless of the differences in all of our backgrounds, upbringings, environments, home cultures, etc. etc. It seems that essentially the only differences are where on the gender spectrum we fall, and how those around us deal with it. Otherwise, the confusion, shame, fear, dysphoria, are all similar. So I see no point in telling you what I've gone through since, well, since I had cogent thoughts. Most of you have been there and know in excruciating detail without me having to describe it. It's that shared experience that brings us all together here.
So I'll only bother covering what you may not know. I grew up in the midwest, was the underdeveloped lonely picked-on nerdy kid through school, and never really dated until I re-met a friend from high school who eventually became my wife. I put together a somewhat successful career in computer support, ending that phase after running a corporate IT department. I burned out in that career at the same time my wife got laid off from her job, and we moved to central Florida where I switched careers by expanding my beloved hobby into a job - with which I've been pretty spectacularly unsuccessful, but it keeps me busy and out of the bars.
Though I was assigned male at birth, on the gender spectrum I am at least 90% female, and I've always known it. Nothing is going to fix this except going all the way through HRT, hair grafts, maybe some FFS, and finally GCS. I am extremely lucky in that my wife is supportive, and I've been putting together a support team of very dear friends, one of whom is a transwoman herself. And as of last week, my Mom and sister know, too. They not only are on my side, but we're suddenly closer than we've been in years. With HRT the noise in my head has gotten a lot quieter, and people say I smile a lot more and am more loving. I know I'm a lot happier most of the time, though as you all know, there are occasional setbacks. And I acknowledge that a lot of us don't have it as easy as it's been working out for me, and my heart goes out to all of you. I'm also trying to keep myself braced for when I do get hit by that truck. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later, especially considering where I'm living.
But, like the girl said as she was falling past the tenth floor of the twenty floor building when asked, "How's it going?": So far so good...
Though I've started the physical transition, I've only made a few small steps in socially transitioning. I've gone dressed to closed group therapy sessions, worked up to a gathering at a private home, then in a restaurant with one other couple in a known-friendly part of town, another gathering in a regular restaurant, and finally another gathering in a restaurant followed by going out in the big world for a walk through a resort town. Absolutely no problem so far, though I've told a few funny stories in other threads here. I have a big week planned, with a closed group meeting tomorrow, a meeting with my endocrinologist and possibly my therapist on Friday, and a large group gathering on Saturday, all of which I plan to dress for. And my wife has decided that we're going clothes shopping for me before the meeting on Saturday. While I'm dressed. OMG... My biggest obstacle is getting out of my close-knit neighborhood while dressed. My neighbors are pretty good friends, but I'm not ready to come out to them yet. My original plan was to wait to drop the bomb until the HRT made it impossible to hide, but the pressure is building to just get it done so I can be me without that stress.
Anyway, I think that's probably enough for starters. This is a great site and I'm so happy I found it. The only problem I have with it is there's so much information it's like drinking from a fire hose. But rather too much info than not enough...
The same person who pushed me to get this intro done has also suggested that I document my journey, so I'm thinking about doing a retrospective of what I've gotten through so far, followed by a chronicle as I move forward. I like the idea, and will try to get started on that as time allows. I do have to support my unsuccessful business, after all.
Thanks for listening, and I'll see you all around,
Stephanie
Due to some gentle prodding by someone who shall remain anonymous, but whose first initial is Laurie, I will introduce myself. I've been skittering around the forum leaving little messes everywhere without putting anything here yet, so I'm a bit overdue. I think this'll be post number 28.
In a few weeks I'll be celebrating the 30th anniversary of my 29th birthday. I am transgender MtF and started HRT NTLA (Not Too Long Ago) - in fact, the counter below says 1 month 25 days as of this writing.
I am amazed at how similar our gender experiences are, regardless of the differences in all of our backgrounds, upbringings, environments, home cultures, etc. etc. It seems that essentially the only differences are where on the gender spectrum we fall, and how those around us deal with it. Otherwise, the confusion, shame, fear, dysphoria, are all similar. So I see no point in telling you what I've gone through since, well, since I had cogent thoughts. Most of you have been there and know in excruciating detail without me having to describe it. It's that shared experience that brings us all together here.
So I'll only bother covering what you may not know. I grew up in the midwest, was the underdeveloped lonely picked-on nerdy kid through school, and never really dated until I re-met a friend from high school who eventually became my wife. I put together a somewhat successful career in computer support, ending that phase after running a corporate IT department. I burned out in that career at the same time my wife got laid off from her job, and we moved to central Florida where I switched careers by expanding my beloved hobby into a job - with which I've been pretty spectacularly unsuccessful, but it keeps me busy and out of the bars.
Though I was assigned male at birth, on the gender spectrum I am at least 90% female, and I've always known it. Nothing is going to fix this except going all the way through HRT, hair grafts, maybe some FFS, and finally GCS. I am extremely lucky in that my wife is supportive, and I've been putting together a support team of very dear friends, one of whom is a transwoman herself. And as of last week, my Mom and sister know, too. They not only are on my side, but we're suddenly closer than we've been in years. With HRT the noise in my head has gotten a lot quieter, and people say I smile a lot more and am more loving. I know I'm a lot happier most of the time, though as you all know, there are occasional setbacks. And I acknowledge that a lot of us don't have it as easy as it's been working out for me, and my heart goes out to all of you. I'm also trying to keep myself braced for when I do get hit by that truck. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later, especially considering where I'm living.
But, like the girl said as she was falling past the tenth floor of the twenty floor building when asked, "How's it going?": So far so good...
Though I've started the physical transition, I've only made a few small steps in socially transitioning. I've gone dressed to closed group therapy sessions, worked up to a gathering at a private home, then in a restaurant with one other couple in a known-friendly part of town, another gathering in a regular restaurant, and finally another gathering in a restaurant followed by going out in the big world for a walk through a resort town. Absolutely no problem so far, though I've told a few funny stories in other threads here. I have a big week planned, with a closed group meeting tomorrow, a meeting with my endocrinologist and possibly my therapist on Friday, and a large group gathering on Saturday, all of which I plan to dress for. And my wife has decided that we're going clothes shopping for me before the meeting on Saturday. While I'm dressed. OMG... My biggest obstacle is getting out of my close-knit neighborhood while dressed. My neighbors are pretty good friends, but I'm not ready to come out to them yet. My original plan was to wait to drop the bomb until the HRT made it impossible to hide, but the pressure is building to just get it done so I can be me without that stress.
Anyway, I think that's probably enough for starters. This is a great site and I'm so happy I found it. The only problem I have with it is there's so much information it's like drinking from a fire hose. But rather too much info than not enough...
The same person who pushed me to get this intro done has also suggested that I document my journey, so I'm thinking about doing a retrospective of what I've gotten through so far, followed by a chronicle as I move forward. I like the idea, and will try to get started on that as time allows. I do have to support my unsuccessful business, after all.
Thanks for listening, and I'll see you all around,
Stephanie
Title: Re: Meet and Greet
Post by: Laurie on August 16, 2017, 12:39:59 AM
Post by: Laurie on August 16, 2017, 12:39:59 AM
Hi Stephanie,
First I want to thank you for doing this. It is not for you that we make these introductions but for us that read them. Now we know a little more about you and who you are. We know what your hopes and goals are. With this knowledge we can share your journey with you as it happens. I realize you know by now that you are welcome here But please let me give you my self appointed unofficial greeter welcome. ((Hug)) Welcome to Susan's Place, Stephanie. Come on in.
Now What the heck took you so long? it surely wasn't that hard for you to come up with them few words. Was it? Huh? Was it? NO it wasn't! Don't you feel better now? LOL I do. >:-) >:-)
So you are in mid Florida are you? I think we will be meeting in the flesh somewhere down the road. I have a friend in Inverness and another near Tampa, and one more somewhere near Orlando I think. I've made the trip to see them twice so far and will be doing so again. What's one more friend to meet?
I am glad you created this post for us and look forward to following you in your own journey.
Thank You Stephanie.
Hugs,
Laurie
First I want to thank you for doing this. It is not for you that we make these introductions but for us that read them. Now we know a little more about you and who you are. We know what your hopes and goals are. With this knowledge we can share your journey with you as it happens. I realize you know by now that you are welcome here But please let me give you my self appointed unofficial greeter welcome. ((Hug)) Welcome to Susan's Place, Stephanie. Come on in.
Now What the heck took you so long? it surely wasn't that hard for you to come up with them few words. Was it? Huh? Was it? NO it wasn't! Don't you feel better now? LOL I do. >:-) >:-)
So you are in mid Florida are you? I think we will be meeting in the flesh somewhere down the road. I have a friend in Inverness and another near Tampa, and one more somewhere near Orlando I think. I've made the trip to see them twice so far and will be doing so again. What's one more friend to meet?
I am glad you created this post for us and look forward to following you in your own journey.
Thank You Stephanie.
Hugs,
Laurie
Title: Re: Meet and Greet
Post by: Jessica on August 16, 2017, 01:04:22 AM
Post by: Jessica on August 16, 2017, 01:04:22 AM
Welcome Stephanie 🙋🏼 I'm fairly new here too and I am so happy to be part of this group. I hope you find your true self with your transition.
I'm only a few years older than you, so we both know our challenges.
I realized something was awry in my teens in the 70's when the earlier "sex changes" were happening and pique my interest. I would read about it and it scared me. Not only because I may be wanting that, but because of the huge cost. I shelved that idea, believing that I would never be able to afford it. Met a wonderful woman and started our family raising two sons. Had a successful career and retired. My wife has always known my attraction to men and has allowed it as long as I was safe and it didn't conflict with our time. I think in the last couple of decades she may have thought that I may want to transition. A few months ago she mentioned that our healthcare now covered transgender care and surgery. I chuckled and the seed was planted that I could become the woman I should be. Last month I started HRT and I'm very excited. I'm lucky I have a wonderful friend for a wife.
Hugs, Jessica 🙋🏼
I'm only a few years older than you, so we both know our challenges.
I realized something was awry in my teens in the 70's when the earlier "sex changes" were happening and pique my interest. I would read about it and it scared me. Not only because I may be wanting that, but because of the huge cost. I shelved that idea, believing that I would never be able to afford it. Met a wonderful woman and started our family raising two sons. Had a successful career and retired. My wife has always known my attraction to men and has allowed it as long as I was safe and it didn't conflict with our time. I think in the last couple of decades she may have thought that I may want to transition. A few months ago she mentioned that our healthcare now covered transgender care and surgery. I chuckled and the seed was planted that I could become the woman I should be. Last month I started HRT and I'm very excited. I'm lucky I have a wonderful friend for a wife.
Hugs, Jessica 🙋🏼
Title: Re: Meet and Greet
Post by: RomanViscera on August 16, 2017, 02:56:38 AM
Post by: RomanViscera on August 16, 2017, 02:56:38 AM
Wonderful!!!! Hello and welcome!!
Title: Re: Meet and Greet
Post by: Kendra on August 16, 2017, 10:05:10 AM
Post by: Kendra on August 16, 2017, 10:05:10 AM
Stephanie, welcome!
Great to be able to finally meet here on the Introductions forum. Your wife sounds incredible and you have great friends. And more here now, although you gotta watch out for the girl with a first initial of Laurie... she roams all over when she doesn't lock her keys in the truck. (Just imagine - that was before she was full time, in a small town with her change of clothes now locked in the cab and having to go ask around for a locksmith). https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,224341.120.html
I have been on HRT exactly half as long as you. I might almost catch up with you someday although I'm not always good at math. I'm about 5 years behind your 30th 29th celebration. Sales tax is higher here so maybe I'm just a month behind.
Some parts of your intro caused me to think hey wait, did I write that? I can also say my parents not only are on my side, but we're suddenly closer than we've been in years. With HRT the noise in my head has gotten a lot quieter, and people say I smile a lot more and am more loving. I know I'm a lot happier most of the time, though as you all know, there are occasional setbacks. And I acknowledge that a lot of us don't have it as easy as it's been working out for me, and my heart goes out to all of you. Sorry if I just plagiarized, the royalty check is in the mail-fail.
Stephanie I see the badge next to your name. THANK YOU for donating to Susan's. In addition to the people who make this site possible and those who post and are active, there are operational costs and this would all shut down without Subscribers and Donators. Your contribution benefits every member of this community.
Since you finally did get around to sayin Hello :-) I'll add the Susan's information and guidelines we provide for new members. Stay inside the lines even if you're driving cross country. Here ya go!
A Cautionary Note:
This is a public forum so please remember when posting that The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.
We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.
If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.,kn
I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site. It is importan t for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them
Stephanie - all feeble attempts at humor and my plagiarism aside, here is a warm welcome and it is truly great to meet you.
Kendra
Great to be able to finally meet here on the Introductions forum. Your wife sounds incredible and you have great friends. And more here now, although you gotta watch out for the girl with a first initial of Laurie... she roams all over when she doesn't lock her keys in the truck. (Just imagine - that was before she was full time, in a small town with her change of clothes now locked in the cab and having to go ask around for a locksmith). https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,224341.120.html
I have been on HRT exactly half as long as you. I might almost catch up with you someday although I'm not always good at math. I'm about 5 years behind your 30th 29th celebration. Sales tax is higher here so maybe I'm just a month behind.
Some parts of your intro caused me to think hey wait, did I write that? I can also say my parents not only are on my side, but we're suddenly closer than we've been in years. With HRT the noise in my head has gotten a lot quieter, and people say I smile a lot more and am more loving. I know I'm a lot happier most of the time, though as you all know, there are occasional setbacks. And I acknowledge that a lot of us don't have it as easy as it's been working out for me, and my heart goes out to all of you. Sorry if I just plagiarized, the royalty check is in the mail-fail.
Stephanie I see the badge next to your name. THANK YOU for donating to Susan's. In addition to the people who make this site possible and those who post and are active, there are operational costs and this would all shut down without Subscribers and Donators. Your contribution benefits every member of this community.
Since you finally did get around to sayin Hello :-) I'll add the Susan's information and guidelines we provide for new members. Stay inside the lines even if you're driving cross country. Here ya go!
A Cautionary Note:
This is a public forum so please remember when posting that The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.
We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.
If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.,kn
I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site. It is importan t for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them
Things that you should read
Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html) | Standard Terms & Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html) | Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.) |
Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html) | News posting & quoting guidelines (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html) | Photo, avatars, & signature images policy (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866) |
Stephanie - all feeble attempts at humor and my plagiarism aside, here is a warm welcome and it is truly great to meet you.
Kendra
Title: Re: Meet and Greet
Post by: V M on August 16, 2017, 03:58:24 PM
Post by: V M on August 16, 2017, 03:58:24 PM
Hi Stephanie :icon_wave:
Welcome to Susan's Place :) Glad to have you here, join on in the fun
Hugs
V M
Welcome to Susan's Place :) Glad to have you here, join on in the fun
Hugs
V M
Title: Re: Meet and Greet
Post by: tgirlamg on August 20, 2017, 12:54:14 PM
Post by: tgirlamg on August 20, 2017, 12:54:14 PM
Welcome Aboard Steph!!!!
Your observations are correct... There are so many common threads that we all share in our lives but that only serves to strengthen the fabric of the sisterhood here and make this a place of deep understanding for all the challenges faced along our personal journeys... This is a path best traveled with friends at your side... Don't hesitate to ask if I can be of help along the way!!!
Onward we go brave sister
Ashley :)
Your observations are correct... There are so many common threads that we all share in our lives but that only serves to strengthen the fabric of the sisterhood here and make this a place of deep understanding for all the challenges faced along our personal journeys... This is a path best traveled with friends at your side... Don't hesitate to ask if I can be of help along the way!!!
Onward we go brave sister
Ashley :)