Well
CinderEmma is back...and the trip exceeded my expectations.
I loved being back in England, even if it was only two days. My family was from the north and settled in the Cotswold area before moving to New York in the 1890's, so every time I go back it feels like home.
I promised photos so here is Emma, the classic American tourist in London:
I was very lucky. It was a beautiful day and I walked everywhere. After Emily and I bought the dress, she found a local tailor to hem it the same day. We had to wait two hours, so Emily knew a rooftop cafeteria atop a department store on Oxford Street. We sat there for two hours, drinking prosecco and chatting like old girlfriends.
It was so special to be Emma for the whole day and not just for an hour or two.
That set the stage for my Queen Mary 2 cruise. Cunard runs an LGBTQ social every day at one of the upper deck bars. I went the first day and met some fantastic new people. I went there every day of the cruise as Emma.
One of the new people I met was a transgender American woman, Josie, who had been living in Sweden for the last eleven years with her boyfriend. She was travelling back to America to see family. We hit it off right away.
Although the majority of the social group was gay men, there was a mix of a few lesbians as well. We formed a group of about eight of us that became dinner and dance buddies almost every evening. Two of the lesbians adopted Josie and I, which took away all of my social anxiety. I was among friends.
They gave me the courage to go to the two formals as me. I had brought men's clothes just in case I chickened out but, as you can see below, I didn't:
The entire trip was the Cinderella fantasy I had hoped for and dreamed of since I was a child. It exceeded all of my expectations and quelled every fear I had.
I am ok being home and being back with my wife. It is all part of my life. But I will always have the special memories of this once in a lifetime trip that will always make me smile when I think of it.
It truly was special.
