On October 7th, 2017, I met an old friend, J, and his wife K for dinner. Though we'd known each other for years, they would be meeting me for the first time. J had put together a small group of friends who hung out together and had formed some traditions at the yearly Sun-N-Fun fly-in in Florida. Years ago I had been unexpectedly welcomed and given a hat signifying I was part of the group, and always enjoyed their company. They had always treated me well, but I had worries, because they were what many would consider "Southern Rednecks."
I heard through my grapevine that J had heard through his grapevine about my transition, so I contacted him to come clean and let him know that if he thought it would be too uncomfortable for everyone, I was prepared to turn in my hat. I have seldom seen him so angry. He cut loose on me for thinking that I would be anything but welcome in the group no matter what. He considers the group to be family, and once you're welcomed into it, you're loved regardless.
So we went to dinner. It was in my fairly early days of living full-time, and I was presenting hardly more than androgynously. And they were awesome. This spring at Sun-N-Fun I was treated as a member of the group just as always. But I had no idea just how awesome some of them were.
A few weeks ago I got a text from J. He wanted my mailing address so he could pass it on to his stepson. And last week I got an invitation from his stepson to attend his wedding in November. His stepson had specifically asked J to get the information because he really wanted to invite me.
Our dinner last October was with minimal presentation, and Sun-N-Fun is a casual event with jeans and shorts the usual uniform. But now I get to attend a wedding with many of the same people there, and I intend to dress up and let them see who Stephanie has become since they last saw me. I am completely blown away by how wonderful my friends are.
I hope I get to dance with J.
Stephanie
