It feels different, at least to me, maybe not to others. And that difference sort of hit me yesterday since I just got my court order on Monday.
I went to the credit union yesterday to update my account there. I signed in, waited, and was called. "You're next, ma'am." I smiled at her and went to her desk where she asked what she could do for me. I told her I had a court order for a name change. "Oh? Let me see." I think she expected a last name change. She stopped, looked at the court order, looked at me, then asked for my account number, still a bit confused. I gave it to her and she looked it up.
She looked at me and with an incredulous tone of voice I heard "You're changing this from David to Cara?" I nodded, smiled and sat there. And then I think understanding dawned. She got the biggest grin and said "Let's get this taken care of for you!" I asked her to update the gender marker on the account records too. "Don't worry, honey, I've already got that!" Her tone was sweet, very positive, and that grin stayed on her face the entire time. She helped me order new checks, get my new debit card ordered, and when we were done, she simply said, with that grin still on her face, "Congratulations."
I grinned back and thanked her and walked out the door. Somehow I think I may have been the first transwoman transitioning who she has ever helped. And I think our interaction was a very positive one. I know it was for me.
That's a great experience to have. I'm glad you've got some positive out comes for all your work. I know I'll be in the same boat. Turned in my name change paperwork last week. Still a ways off before anything is official. Still, little situations like what you had kind of worried me, having to explain it to each and every thing associated with my old name. Its nice to hear that there's a chance for good interactions to come out of it. Best of luck with all future envevours of that nature.
Cara, That is great & so nice for you. You seem like such a pleasant kind woman. I'm sure the lady at the credit union was glad to help you. Please have a beautiful day GF. Thank you for posting this so we all can feel your pride in yourself.
What a great and positive experience; glad the gatekeeper was so positively aware, must've had you grinning ear to ear!
Congrats! Yes, changing your name is a big step to take. If that doesn't sober you up, nothing will. Odd, but my credit union has been very friendly to me, too. Maybe it's something about credit unions? I don't know. Anyway, it's a credit to them.
Each step after that gets better and better :D
Bank account, credit card's, loan's, anything in your old never real name. It hit me very hard but in the most amazing way possible when I got all of the major day to day institutions taken care of.
Congratulations. It didn't fully sink in for me tell documents, identification, and bank cards started arriving.