Well it seems my confidence is growing in who I am. I have worked up the courage to go out tonight to a bar and grill.  I met someone on this site and we only live 15 miles apart and I'm supposed to meet her and some of her girlfriends, two which are also transitioning, for a drink or two. This will be my first time to really interact and talk to people other than my therapist. Sure hope my feminine voice holds out. It should be an interesting evening to say the least. So excited and timid at the same time!!!

Congrats!  I hope your experience is wonderful... and I'm glad you're bringing friends. 

For me, I couldn't believe I could pass (or even really survive) going outside dressed to match my insides.  It wasn't until my girlfriend declared she wanted to go out with Robin (at the time I was still differentiating female-presenting me from male-presenting me) and helped with my clothes and makeup that things just clicked.

While I still dress to match my bio gender (for now) at work and for business appointments, I now tend to change as soon as I get home, at least into a house-dress.  The genie is out of the bottle... and I'm loving every minute of it!

You look mahvelous, dahlink... believe it, and relax and enjoy.  Having friends with you will help, and one day you won't need them; if my experience is any guide, you'll be able to go out on your own and be more comfortable and happy than you ever thought possible.

Trip to Wal-Mart in proper clothing and makeup: $34.00
Having the first person I met call me Ma'am when asking for a donation on the way in:  Priceless. 

Having woman friends is great. Enjoy them fully. Just tell them you are one of their sisters. Join in all their activities, shopping, cooking, parties, life, makeup, clothes, family, men, etc.....

I once attended a bridal shower with one of my close woman friends. That was just great, we all had a great time & I was able to meet lots of other nice women in the area.

Have fun.

Just a little update from last night.  I had a blast being out with the girls last night. There was one other girl who is in transition and 4 cis girls and they were all very supportive of us and it made for a very good time. We went to two different places in the course of the evening each building my confidence a little more.  It felt so good to be gendered correctly in a public setting. I feel as though I presented myself very well and I had several of them tell me they were impressed at the way I carried myself for my first outing.  Thanks to all of you here who have been supportive and given me some advice.

Congrats girl! Way to strut your stuff! 

Congrats Erin    That's great!!! Glad it went well and you had a good time

Hugs

Erin, great for you. Woman friends are great friends. After all we have so much in common. After my comments last night I reconnected with a woman friend that I had not been close to in two or three years. She was very happy to hear that I was back on HRT & moving forward toward SRS one day. She offered & wanted to be close friends for life. I'm very happy. We can never have too many friends.

Thank you katie and VM....and congrats Francis on finding that friend and gaining support from her.  A good network of friends is always needed. Last night was one step in my journey and one that will never be forgotten

Erin, great for you. I'll never forget the day I dressed up nice after baking a cake & when to a bridal shower. I knew two of the women there, one was the mother of the bride. I asked her if I could attend & she said it was OK. All the other women were new. I was scarred to death really however the women were all very nice, some were suprised however my woman friend, the mother introduced me & helped me adjust. I was so proud of myself. That was 10 years ago however I still remember it very well.

Please have a great day young woman.

Congratulations, Erin!  So glad to hear it went so well!  Please keep us in the loop.

*hug*