Hi all, my name is Debbie , Iam 70 years young. I've spent my entire life working on my fem feelings. It started the best I can remember at about age 8. That's when I felt I should have been a girl. Growing up in the 50s there was no one to talk to about this. My parents would never understand. I suppressed those thoughts until I got married. It all came back after a few years and I had the talk with my wife. It was 2 long years and because of our love we were able to work it out. I was able to find a find support group and they were a great help for me to understand and learn how to integrate the female and male together. I had to keep the fem side of my life hidden from my everyday life  because of my work, but was able to expand it with the support group. Once I retired Iam now able to live my life as my true authentic self. During the time working with the support group I worked with a few psychologists and became a guest speaker at several colleges and universities in the LA area. My wife of 48 years is the love of my life and my savior. During my life I've come to understand that one needs to be true to ones self, life is to short.

@Debbie J
Dear Debbie   
I am so glad that you have become a member of Susan's Place and that you have shared your interesting and detailed introduction posting with other members here on the Forums. 

I am thinking that you may lots more questions and concerns, this is the right place for you to be to find out what others have done that may have been in your circumstances.
 
Be aware that there are a lot of members here that can identify with your situation as you feel free to share it.

I see that our lovely member @KathyLauren has already Officially Welcomed you on another thread earlier today and that you followed her suggestion to come here to the Introductions Forum.   
Please allow me to also warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others  and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.
It is nice that you had signed up so you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....

***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace. 
I see that KathyLauaren gave you Important LINKS on her welcome message that will tell you about Susan's Place.  Included there is information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

I have attached those important LINKS here again for your convenience.

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Hi Debbie 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Hugs

V M

Hey Debbie!

Life is really short to spend it for fulfilling other's expectations. I'm happy to hear you decide to become yourself Welcome to this place, it's amazing

Debbie.. Your life sounds so familiar. I am 66 myself and understand fully what you have written. Main difference I see is my first wife could not accept it and when she found I was crossdressing decided to have an affair with a doctor at work. Luckily I got another chance and my present wife and I have been together for 35 years. I know the frustration of not being able to talk to anyone, which led to much misery. Support Group have been very affirming to me and I am finally making friends again. And best of all I'm not angry anymore. I too consider my wife my rock.