Hello parents, I'm Amy...

[Amy A]

Today was the big day that my family would finally meet Amy in the flesh. I went to my parents house and had a chat with everyone (Mum, Dad, Brother and Sister-in-Law) as the man they all knew, then went upstairs and got changed. I have to admit that coming back down the stairs I was shaking with nerves.

Once in the room, it was initially pretty terrifying; all eyes on me, everyone looking me over. I've spent a lifetime trying to hide and blend in, so all the sudden attention was quite hard to deal with. Once that first bit was over I started to relax a bit and felt a lot better for having it done and out of the way.

There's some aspects of being female that will take some getting used to, such as the added attention to the way I look, so I am interested in knowing about how any of you felt about the changing dynamics of your interactions with others, and how you dealt with it.

But all in all it's been a successful day, everyone was kind and very complimentary, and I perhaps shouldn't over analyse it.

[kathtx]

Glad to hear it went well!

[Rebecca W.]

Hi Amy,
I really admire you and the way that you have handled such a big step forward in your life to be who you really are, a woman. I can just feel your emotions from your description of when you were walking down the stairs. You could not turn back now and change who you really are. It must feel so fantasic to be able to be open about who you really are, a beautiful woman.

I wish you the very best on your new life as a woman.

[cdmorganashley]

what a big step!! i really admire your courage =)

[sandra-leigh]

Mostly for me it has been a feeling of relief. But things with my family are still a bit weird, and there's a lot I haven't told my mother. I've told three of my Old Friends, and they have contacted me about as much as they used to (which is to say hardly at all for two of them.)

[Kimberly Kael]

Coming out to parents are a really tough step, so it's completely natural that you'd be nervous doing so. I'm delighted to hear it went well and hope things continue to go as smoothly as possible for you.

[pinkhyori]

Now you're making me think..."hey I should have done that too!"

[AimeeG]

Ironically, my friends think I'm a better person and more fun to be around. Some are sad because they/I moved before I came out on Facebook.

[AlexisWest]

coming out to mom was easy. I can't come out to other family members though. I think dad would have been okay, but he passed before I told mom.

[Chickhe]

I did that one year for Halloween...the only time I ever dressed as a straight female (was in a skin tight dress ...dressed like to go bar hopping) started out really awkward and then my parents started telling me how much I looked like a cousin of mine... it was nothing about making a permanent life change so the event was soon was forgotten. The really odd part was how they immediately fell in to using female pronouns. ...and as we walked to my parent's home, an old neighbor walked past us and said nice evening ladies...

[Amy A]

I actually came out to my family earlier this year, this was just the first time they had seen me as a woman. I got this message on FB from my sis-in-law:

"We would always tell you the truth so all the compliments were real, enjoy it-you're gonna get plenty more you looked more 'you' than I've ever seen you before and it was lovely to see."

I thought that was pretty amazing... I've had couple of people tell me that me being a woman somehow makes a bit more sense, so perhaps my previous male persona wasn't as convincing as I had thought :D.

I think with the change in social interactions, it's just something I'm going to grow into over time. I think it's more dropping a guard than learning new things. As with everything, it's all about confidence with me, but I know that I have to throw myself into this and the more confident I am as a woman, the easier people will be able to accept me as such.

I've also this weekend come out to the extended family eg cousins, aunts etc that I don't see very often. One cousin replied that it 'somehow didn't come as a surprise'! Again though whether it be the times or location I live in, the replies have been completely positive. I'm not daft enough to think for certain that nothing has been said behind my back but I can plead ignorance to that :) and there's nothing to suggest that has happened anyway.

So I'm pretty much right on the edge now. There's not a lot of time left for the old me, and even then he is confined to work. I'm really up and down in my mood and levels of optimism but the progress I've made recently at least stops me from dwelling on things too much.

[Ann Louise]

I'm so happy for you Amy! I've watched your posts up 'till now, and how you've emerged from the uncertainty of baby steps to really just stepping out and walking as the beautiful young woman that you indeed are. A whole new set of adventures is probably revealing itself to you now. How exciting! Go for it hun, Ann

[Alex R]

Another positive step Amy, really well done.

As you say you still have the downside of being 'him' at work but you seem to be driving forward at a speed that suits you and I'm sure if you continue with that approach you'll successfully come out at work at the time you decide is right.

[MsRenee]

Congrates Amy,
Glad to hear they were very acceptance of the true you, hopefully that takes the so called monkey off your back and you can get to lovin life.
Heres to more good times.
Hugs
Renee

[Rhonda Darling]

Amy:

Congratulations on the big step of telling family. Seeing how great you look femme, it can't have been too big a jolt for them to learn that a beautiful young woman has been lurking within for all these years.

Best wishes and best regards to you.

Rhonda

[Marleena]

Congrats Amy! I'm happy for you that you are finding support and continuing on your journey. Sometimes we really aren't fooling too many people and it just "clicks" with them and makes sense.

[Allison Quinn]

I'm so happy and excited for you!! :)
The way the step went too has made me really happy just to hear about! :)

I wish you all the luck ever possible :)

[Leah Lynn]

Congrats, Amy! I've told my mother and older sister a month ago, when I started hrt. Last week I told my daughter about hrt. I have no plans yet to let anyone meet Leah. It will probably happen when I go full time.

Hugs,
Leah

[kimdl93]

That approach took some nerve. Glad I went so well for you.

[Ariamythe]

Nicely told, and a happy story to boot. Congratz! :)

[vallerie lacy]

Glad to hear that you got it over with. You must feel like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

[Jennifer Marie P.]

That was a hugh step.Congrats.

[kelliehusker]

Sometimes when you worry the most, things work out the best. Congrats!!!!!

[Amy A]

Thanks for the kind messages everyone. I'm glad it's over and done with. Just going about the process of meeting people as Amy now.

[lady_croatia]

congrats Amy!!

way to go!!

:)

[Megan72]

What a great feeling it must be to have gotten that done and with such great results. Hugs!
Megan

[Zooey_91]

Congratulations, I'm gald to hear it went well for you I am planning on doing the same with my family soon, and I'm so nervous about it.