Today was my birthday, one of the few days in the year when my brothers and I exchange greetings (by email). We are not particularly close. I am out to my older brother, so, when I replied to his birthday greeting, I filled him in on the progress of my transition and told him that I am using the names Kathy Lauren for my new identity.
He immediately replied, asking If I would like him to call me Kathy from now on. Wow! Such a simple thing, but what a nice gesture!
I am not actually going by Kathy in real life except in my support group, because, if my wife or neighbour got used to it and then slipped up in front of other people, it could be bad. So I am holding off on asking people to use my name until I am ready to come out in public. But what a nice thing to suggest!
I have tears of joy in my eyes, and I feel all goose-bumpy!
