I know it's highly irregular for someone with more than a thousand posts to post an introduction. Since I missed doing this when I first joined (I was too clueless even to find the introduction forum back then), I hope it's OK.
I'm now comfortable enough with the name I've selected, that I'm ready to introduce myself to the world.
I will be Susan Alexandra.
Since Susan is kind of formal, I will be Suzi for day to day contact. I live in Maryland (abbr. Md.), so I'm changing my screen name to suzifrommd.
No, I didn't name myself after the wonderful founder of this site. I've liked the name Susan since I was a kid, it's always had kind of an energy for me. So when I set about naming myself, it was the first name that popped up and easily outshone all other comers.
I chose Alexandra because it sort of resembles my birth name, Andrew, so there's some continuity there.
For those who haven't followed my story, I first joined this site thinking I was androgyne, but now I realize that the male parts of my identity are byproducts of my living my 51 years as a man and from having a male body. I am female at the core. When I asked myself how I would feel if I was never allowed to be male again, I knew I could deal with it, but when I asked myself how I would feel if I would never be allowed to be female, I knew it would feel like a piece of me was cut off.
So I'm planning this summer to start living full time as a woman. I'm a high school teacher with my own two children attending the school where I work (though my son graduates this June), so this is going to be complicated.
Despite all that, I have to admit that I have a way to go before I feel like a woman. I still find myself often using a male pronoun for myself and am comfortable acting in male ways (though I love when I am given the freedom to act female). One of the reasons why it took 51 years to realize I am a woman is that I always imagined transgender women would "feel like women." A lot of us do, but for me, a female identity is much more complicated – fascination with female media, dress, and appearance, feeling more comfortable in the presence of females, and wanting, in the worst way, to have a female body. I hope that once I start living full time it will become easier to see myself as a woman, but if it does not, I will settle for pretending. Infinitely better than continuing to live as a man.
Thank you so much to every member of the Susan's community for all your continued support. I would not have the courage or knowledge to transition without you. I'm going to need all of you in the months to come!
Love to all,
Suzi
Welcome to Susan's, Susan!
Welcome Suzi!
Good choice! Like the woman said in the film Avatar, "I see you" meaning of course that I know your heart! We can say that since you have been with us for quite some time. Best wishes!
Hi Suzi. (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmileys.on-my-web.com%2Frepository%2FAnimals%2Fferret-3.gif&hash=f49e2f86761323f2abd9c33941920389dbb3b10f)
Hi Suzi!!
*hugs* sent to MD from WA!
HI Suzi. I like your new name.
Huggs
Maegan
Love you too Suzi.
Welcome to Susan's! We are a family, blah blah blah. *HUG*
P.S. Susan Alexandra fits you well!
-Maddie
Welcome, Suzi :)
good choice Suzi. i Like that name. :angel:
A warm Aussie welcome to you, Suzi..
Now, would you prefer to be flogged or branded? >:-)
Hello Suzi,
A mighty big Aussie hello and welcome. I'm impressed at how you are growing since moving forward in your journey. i'd say HRT is is treating you very well.
Keep up the mighty job. I'm looking forward to hearing GREAT exploits and experiences from you in the near future
Huggs
Catherine
I like the name, Suzi. I hope you're having a good day!
I want to give you a hug, Suzi!! :)