Nice!  Random tit-bits.

First box of hormones... done.  Made a huge difference!
Skin softening, body hair soft and light already.  Pretty cool.

Discovered The Pixies... how did I miss them?

The man I fell in love with 10 years ago and married 6 years ago is 100% supportive and encouraging to me and says that I'm still the person he fell in love with. He says he "won the lottery" and says he doesn't deserve me all the time. When I bring up worries about how we'll be treated as I transition, by family and strangers, he says "f*** them, I don't care. I love you." He's always identified as comfortably bisexual, so this whole "surprise! you thought you married a woman but I'm actually a dude!" is not really phasing him at all. I cannot comprehend how I got so incredibly lucky.

One of my close friends from college asked me today if I would be his groomsman at his wedding next May. And then he told me that after talking to me about my transition, he talked to his fiance about it, and she told him that she's actually genderfluid (she chooses to use female pronouns still) but hadn't known how to tell him. So I feel really freakin' good about that. (and his reaction was the same as my spouse's-- she's still the same person he fell in love with, so it doesn't affect his feelings at all. I know some quality humans)

I love that I finally accepted who I was and stopped hiding it. I'm recently in the process and every step I take I feel lighter and happier than I have ever felt before. I feel like a boy in a toy store when I go to the men's department. I've NEVER EVER liked shopping and now I'm basically addicted (not a real addiction, but don't let me in the men's underwear section because I will take the store home!). I LOVE that I can be me and feel myself inside and out. And, although I am not there completely on the outside yet, I know I am moving in the right direction. Something that feels this great is like heaven came to my world  .

I look fairly androgenous although my long hair combined with my face makes me look like a girl but eh.  I love my hair and I do look more masculine when I pull or slick it back.
My girlfriend who I've been with since before my transition told me she'd support me all the way and she doesn't care what gender I am as long as I'm happy.
I live somewhere with socialized medicine, so HRT and all of my psych appointments are covered.
I've always been told by my friends that I'm more like a guy than a girl even though I'm quite feminine.
My parents are supporting me, and are even helping me with getting binders and a packer.
I can still have a normal sex life, because even though there are certain ways I don't like being touched, they're very non-restrictive.
I am beautiful.  I'd rather be handsome than beautiful, but I'm not complaining.

Beautiful boys are still hot, right?

I realized today I was happy.  It was 11:30 when I realized I had not yet took my antidepressant or had coffee.  Normally I would be a disaster zone by then.  Something really good is happening to my chemistry.

I have found so many things about transitioning to be not nearly as frightening as I initially anticipated.  Finding open-minded professionals here has been amazing - and to be welcomed into a new family with open arms and no judgement has been a godsend.  Some of the great things that have happened to me since transitioning:

• I've gained a second family (my in-laws) who love me and treat me like the man I was meant to be.
• I've found an amazing GP, psychiatrist and surgeon who have made the medical side of transitioning so incredibly uplifting.
• I've managed to find a trans-friendly accountant and bank.
• I'm finally able to get out into the world and work, earning enough money for the little things like a gym membership, saving for our own home and gifts for those whom I love.
• I'm finally able to open my mouth in a conversation without worrying about my voice giving me away.
• Though I have a long way to go still, I'm learning to love myself.

This is a nice thread.   I had a very lucky time transitioning as well. I feel very blessed to have had almost no negativity about it.

I love seeing so much positivity!! <3  It's been a horror story with a fairy tale ending for me..  the fairy tale being the happiness knowing that I'm still alive to fight another day. Everything that seemed out of my reach less then a year ago is my reach or already attained.  Yes I love my life more some days then others but if there is one good thing that we can attain from looking back, its to realize how far we have come.

Hello everyone,

Well, still dunno where I am, but... this is a great, wonderful adventure.
Every path, EVERY LIFE lived feeling and doing, WITHOUT FEAR and OVERCOMING THE TROUBLES, is a great adventure!
I love "gay communities" for this, they ARE the REAL life of the humanity, together with the "official" ones.

Kisses to all of you
And let's gooooo

I'm glad that I'm about to finally get on with transitioning very soon and grow bigger tits and have a more feminine silhouette

I'm also grateful for having guy friends who understand me, don't discriminate me, and just joke around with me in harmless ways xD

I'm grateful for being able to be the Beyonce in my trio of girl-friends.

I'm grateful for having a laptop, three smartphones, an iPad, my own room, and having 20 likes on FaceBook at the very least x)

Btw i like this thread. Makes me feel fuzzy #GirlsLikeUs

Well, for starters there's this: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,183117.0.html

That in and of itself made a huge difference.

But I'm glad to have an SO who has supported me every step of the way, from coming out to dressing to setting up health insurance that covers the potential needs of gender dysphoria, both psychological and physical.

I'm glad to have the friends I do - when I came out, they adjusted practically overnight. A couple of my guy friends still call me "bro" from time to time, but I give them a nice little bout of PMS (Pronoun Mistake Sass) to remind them very quickly.

I'm glad that my genetics came more from my mother's side than my father's - I'd be one goofy-lookin' gal if it were the other way around! 

And I'm grateful beyond words to have found Susan's place...I still haven't thanked Alexis enough for sending me here. Without her, I wouldn't even know this place existed. You all are awesome! 

I love this idea!
Transition for me has been outright fun with little to no hiccups. People tell me I'm the most positive person they've met. I've tried to, from day 1 of transition to be positive, to not lay blame for who I am, to not feel sorry, and to not make excuses.
For me, transition began six years ago - HRT, living full time and name change within months.
But a couple positive stories, not in chronological order, but stories that are memories:
1. first job I applied to - nervous as hell, but I still rememebr meeting with the owners of a telecom consulting company. I was applying for their head of sales position. What they said they liked about me, other than my credentials, was my ability to adapt to change. They liked that! I worked for the company for two years.
2. After coming out to my pastor, and prior to living full time, I felt embarrassed to come to church as the new me. 3 months later I recieved an email from my pastor. She said the elders had been wondering where I was and she told them of my transitioning. They unanimously wanted me back. And I returned  and it was the most wonderful day ever when everyone came up to hug me, shake my hand, congratulate me.
3. My current partner who proposed to me a few weeks ago. As a cop, these guys you'd think are all work, rigid. He's the sweetest guy. A few weeks ago he proposed to me. 1 year ago he claimed on his taxes a joint filing, I'm his beneficiary on life insurance, and his dad loves me.

So those are three right off the top examples of things that make me smile.

Hi Everyone,
 
  I can say that now I am really enjoying my life for the first time in thirty six years.  I finally get to do all the things I love to do with out the fear of someone suspecting anything. And the fact that I am no longer harboring a secret is great in itself. I am also excited about my life starting over and all the great changes ahead.

Hugs,
Britney

Nice idea!

I have also been lucky when it comes to my transition. My parents have always been very open minded people. While it has obviously taken them time to adjust (especially my dad at first), they ultimately just want me to be happy. My brother had a hard time at first, which surprised me considering he is in the same generation as I am where LGBT has been more accepted. His girlfriend has helped him out a lot though. She has become like my sister in many ways. Now my family (my parents, brother, and his girlfriend- we all live together) accepts me whole heartedly. They use male pronouns and my preferred name.

I go see a wonderful therapist. She has helped me in numerous ways. My mom takes me to the appointments and always comes in at the end. So my therapist and my mom have become familiar with one another and get along well. She has helped my mom and dad through the process. As my mom said, "I had to grieve the loss of my daughter to embrace the gain of my son."

My friends are very accepting. I am lucky enough to live in an area where being gay is not a big deal. Being transgender is pretty accepted. I know a few other transfolks. I know plenty of LGB people too. My school has a lot of them. The Gay Straight Alliance club really helped me be more comfortable in my identity. Now all my teachers use my preferred name and my classmates for the most part. Some use my preferred name and say she however, but that's a minor thing. I am not bullied and lucky for that. My school is accommodating. I can use the nurse's bathroom and am in the co-ed gym class.

I started testosterone two months ago. I am glad because I'm young as far as transition goes. I turned 18 recently and am in good shape. Although I missed being a boy growing up, I was never forced to act feminine or anything. I was given freedom to make my own choices of my friends, clothes, and what I played with. Also I will be able to live my entire adult life as a man and I now have both male and female perspectives.

This experience has helped and will help me grow considerably. I would not be who I am if I was not transgender.

Most definitely!  I LOOOVE my life. I give thanks everyday to my Creator for having placed me on this wonderful earth.  It's been and continues to be, one wonderful ride! There's been a few downers but those little events only served as small reminders of what life is all about and more importantly to highlight the grand beauty I have experienced in my life to date. I've never let my physical situation stop me from anything. I've experienced two wonderful marriages (of which the first really does not count because I was so young). Currently, I am married to a loving, caring man who I consider God's gift to me and as sure as the sun rises, we know we will see each other into our old age and beyond. Growing up was fairly easy, being in school was no big deal, and I began my correct physical puberty at 13 alongside my sisters thanks to my mother, sisters, friends and family doctors. I have a good education, developed wonderful friendships along life's path. Jobs and a career have been easy to obtain. I was blessed with great genes and a positive aura. When I was younger, I had to literally shoo away men and now in my late 50's - I still shoo away men -- haha.  As of recently, I began exploring the transgender forums to see if I missed anything, but from what I read I guess I did not. But I have learned a thing or two should anyone need input or just needs a sounding board.

I hope to have my corrective surgery one day, but there is no hurry because it's never really posed any issue (when there is one, its quickly corrected).  I've always wished everyone I come in contact with a long happy healthy life, because my outlook is a positive one where there is nothing insurmountable.

Thank you Jenny for starting this thread. Reading the responses has really lightened my day.