I got my name change papers today! I am now officially Katherine!
I had always thought this was just another step along the way. I was surprised by how very validating this is.
I picked up the court papers, bought a bottle of champagne, went home (I figured I wasn't safe out and about the way I was), put on Horowitz playing Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto as loud as I could stand, popped the cork, toasted myself, and burst into tears.
About halfway through the bottle and the second time through the concerto it finally dawned on me. THIS IS REAL. The State recognizes me as Katherine. I am finally living a lifelong dream. There is no turning back (not that I would want to). I CAN do this! This WILL happen!
More than coming out, more than starting hormones, more than announcing in church, more than starting full time, this one small thing is THE thing that brings it all together. How odd. Perhaps it is just that the impersonal State now says I am Katherine.
And I am Katherine. And I will be evermore Katherine. Hallelujah! ;D
Ecstatically,
Kate
Halliuah
That is the greatest feeling in the world, I know. Now on to the DMV and SSA. Check with your state about the gender change on the d/l. Some states let you change it.
Congratulation, Katherine. :icon_bunch:
Janet
i im so very happy for you.
Congrats Katherine! I remember when I got my name change letter, and I was so happy I cried.
Congratulations! ;D
Myles
Absolutely wonderful news Katherine.
Have another champagne on me :eusa_clap:
Love and Hugs
Cindy
I nearly passed out when the judge pronounced my name change as official. I know how you feel.
Congratulations, Katherine!
It's a wonderful name.
-Sandy
Congrats!
Jay
CHEERS!
Congratulations Kate.
A significant step!
Rebecca
Congratulations Katherine. It's a wonderful thing.
congratulations Katherine, it's a beautiful name ;) (https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cosgan.de%2Fimages%2Fsmilie%2Fmusik%2Fn015.gif&hash=479db208305172fe4bec80b5dead717273ce7c09)
Oh hey congrats :)
congrats!!!! ;D
Woo Hoo! ;D
That's awesome news! Congrats!
Interesting to hear the sort of emotions an official name change can bring. You have me looking forward to the day I too can experiance that form of validation (as opposed to just dreading the bill for it) ;).
How exciting ;D
Congratulations
Congratulations Katherine.
I know the feeling Katherine. My name change papers had me giddy for weeks, especially when the DMV changed my gender maker without me having to say a thing.
Congrats! Pop those champagne bottles! ;)
Jay
Thanks for all the congratulations!
I just want to add an update. I picked up the papers late Friday afternoon and so had to wait the long weekend (Memorial Day in the US). :P
Tuesday morning I hit the hairdresser first thing so she could make me as presentable as possible. (And so she could wish me luck. :))
Then it was to the DMV for a new driver's license. The woman there couldn't have been nicer or friendlier. We had a good time, chatting away. Unfortunately, they don't print the licenses there and I have to wait 3-6 weeks for the real one. She gave me a paper license to go with my old one, but I'm stuck with the male picture until then. :( The new license will still say I'm male, but who cares?
Then it was to the Air Force base fifty miles away. I had trouble getting on the base because I didn't look anything like the picture on my military ID. :D After a hassle, though, I was headed to the ID office.
Oddly enough, when I went into the women's room on the base I ran into a chatty woman when I was washing up. It was my first chatty-woman-in-a-rest-room experience. We chatted away about inconsequential things and had a nice exchange. :)
Then the military ID. Again, the woman was very friendly and positive about it all. We chattered away about all sorts of things while she was doing the paperwork. I even got a pretty cute picture on my new ID – far better than any of my old, male pictures. :D
On a roll, I hit up the Social Security office. I had to wait quite a while, but once at the counter the woman was friendly and helpful and very nice. By then I was sure my feet weren't touching the ground. ;D
Once back in my own town, I ran around dropping off papers at the doctor, dentist, and insurance offices, pharmacy, bank, credit union, cable office, etc. Everyone was great. I even made a new friend at the coffee house when I just couldn't restarain myself from telling her I am officially Katherine.
What a day! ;D I am far chattier than I ever was as the drab old me. Look out world - Kate's here! :D
- Kate
Isn't wonderful when the flower finally blooms in all it's color and glory?
Congratulations, Kate!
-Sandy
Hi Kate,
Isn't a great feeling to finally have everything in your true name. I still get mail for 'him'. but I marked 'Return to Sender. Deceased.' >:-)
And I like the new do.
Janet
That's great news. Can we choose a nickname. Kathy? KItty?
Quote from: Genevieve Swann on May 27, 2009, 09:13:09 AM
That's great news. Can we choose a nickname. Kathy? KItty?
Please,
never Kathy. (Bad associations with my past.) Anyway, I thought Kate was a nickname. Just about everyone in town calls me Kate. I even introduced myself to someone yesterday as Katherine and she replied: Hi Kate! ::)
- Kate
Post Merge: May 27, 2009, 03:43:21 PM
Quote from: Janet Lynn on May 27, 2009, 09:02:46 AM
And I like the new do.
Thanks, Janet. I'm trying to learn how to do it at home but so far with only modest success. :P
- Kate
Quote from: K8 on May 27, 2009, 03:41:54 PM
Post Merge: May 27, 2009, 03:43:21 PM
Thanks, Janet. I'm trying to learn how to do it at home but so far with only modest success. :P
- Kate
You'll soon learn the joys of home perms and hair color. Really, give it a try! Nothing makes people aware of the new you as a new hair color. I think everyone goes through a blond phase, I know I did, but I currently like red/auburn. It can be very freeing!
-Sandy
Congrats, Kate!
Quote from: Sandy on May 27, 2009, 03:56:21 PM
You'll soon learn the joys of home perms and hair color. Really, give it a try! Nothing makes people aware of the new you as a new hair color. I think everyone goes through a blond phase, I know I did, but I currently like red/auburn. It can be very freeing!
Congrats, Kate. You'll get "better" at it with some experience in doing it. :)
Sandy, blonde works better when one's skin-tone is right for it. :laugh:
Hi Kathering, congrats hon. That was a wonderful day wasn't it. I did pretty well the same you did, but I celebrated with fake champaign, lets say I just can't drink alcohol. ;D I had pretty well the same reception with people as you did.
Cindy
K8 on behalf of the world, Welcome to the world.
Have fun. Be good. Take care.
Congrats...Mich'
Quote from: Nichole on May 27, 2009, 04:08:00 PM
Sandy, blonde works better when one's skin-tone is right for it. :laugh:
Yeah, I kinda figured that one out the hard way...
-Sandy(*blush*)