I noticed that I'm about to cross the 13,000 post mark and also a few days away from completing my fourth year as a member of this site.
During that time I've lived through more than a few changes in how I view myself and how I live my life. When I started here, I was a long term CDr, but my dressing was confined for most of the previous decades to stockings and undies. I simply couldn't see myself as anything other than a large man in panties and stockings.
A few months before joining this I first wore a complete woman's outfit. That and subsequent early attempts were a bit like the early aircraft image I'm using for my avi....some potential, but they never quite got off the ground. I got my first set of breast forms in late 2009, and at least from the neck down, began to see myself differently.
I sought out this site because I knew I wanted more, but lacked so much information, technical for sure, but also I needed to know how others like me felt about themselves and the possibilities. Wow, what a steep learning curve I had ahead of me. Nonetheless, a few months here in early 2010 opened my eyes opened to possibilities I hadn't allowed myself to imagine. By mid summer I took my first tentative steps out into the world en femme, and purchased my first wig (oddly in that order). When I saw myself with a wig for the first time I realized that I could do this... I could present myself as a woman.
The key to this ultimately was the example provided by so many others here. I saw how good they looked...not necessarily beautiful, but well put together and feminine. Their many examples gave me the encouragement I needed to step out into the world and live the life I've always wanted to lead.
My thanks to all the long term members who have inspired my growth as a person and to all the new members who keep the conversation fresh and interesting. Best wishes to all in 2014.