An Unexpected Visitor...And A New 'Sister'

[Diane Edwards]

More than once I've mentioned that only a few people know about Diane, two family members (my cousin Gail and my ex-wife) and two close friends. But that changed a little over two hours ago.

Gail called me last night and said she wanted to stop by to see me today as she had something she wanted to talk to me about. She was heading up north to do some skiing and figured it would be nice to stop for a visit on her way up. So far so good. What she didn't tell me was that she was traveling with my youngest sister.

They arrived just before noon and seeing my sister with her was a nice surprise. (They don't get a chance to get together very often due to distance and work schedules, but when they do they usually head off somewhere for a day or two to reconnect.) After the usual pleasantries, Gail got right to the point, and it was a shocker.

She looked at my sister Janice and said, "She knows about Diane."

I'm not exactly sure what expression I had on my face, but I knew I was blushing fiercely as I could feel the heat on my face.

Gail went on to explain that they had gotten together Thursday after my sister flew in to Boston, staying at her home just outside the city. They got to talking about family things and about stuff they had done in the past. Then Gail pulled out some of her photo albums and they were going over them. You know, the usual "Hey, do you remember when this was taken?" kind of reminiscing.

At one point they were going through some of Gail's vacation photos when Janice came across a picture of Gail and me as Diane. As Gail told it, Janice was surprised to see Gail's 'twin'. To make a long story short, Gail finally fessed up that her twin Diane was really me.

It was awkward....at least until Janice came over to me, gave me a hug, and said "I always knew there was a hidden side to you. I just had no idea!" From there the three of us talked about how Diane came to be, how long I'd been dressing, including a slightly embarrassing question about my sexuality. (I told her I'm a lesbian trapped in a man's body, which got her laughing. A good thing, I guess.) Janice said that me being Diane certainly explained a few things she'd noticed over the years.

Gail and Janice left just a little while ago and I knew I had to sit down and share this on the forum.

We've made plans for a night out later this week, and Janice insisted she wanted to meet Diane in person as all she's seen of me is in pictures. So come later this week Janice will meet her unknown sister and the three of us will have a girl's night out. I have to admit to feeling both relieved and a little nervous at the same time. But I am so looking forward to letting Janice come to know the woman I am inside!

[NV Susan]

Very nice story Diane. I'm glad that your sister accepted your CD'ing and hope your girl's night out is fun for all!

[Jamie Lynn]

Sounds like the conversation went smoothly and your "girls night out" should be fun! Be sure to tell us all about it! :)

[Genny B]

This is good news and I hope you have a great girls night out!
Genny B

[Katey888]

That's a lovely story Diane - unexpected perhaps, but hopefully with a successful and progressive outcome for you and your sister.

I hope everything goes well for you... :cheer:

And btw - I may have thought this but not said anything - you have a great avatar, and I assume that is you..? :D

Katey x

[Diane Edwards]

That's a lovely story Diane - unexpected perhaps, but hopefully with a successful and progressive outcome for you and your sister.

I hope everything goes well for you... :cheer:

And btw - I may have thought this but not said anything - you have a great avatar, and I assume that is you..? :D

Katey x

Katey, thanks for your comment! It will be an interesting journey of discovery for both of us.

The avatar picture is over 30 years old, but that's pretty much what I looked like way back when.

I originally thought it was a picture of my cousin, but she corrected me, reminding me she's the one who took the picture. She's a great photographer. I don't have a lot of pictures of me but Gail does, so I'll see if she'll send some, particularly of us together. Then you'll see why so many people thought we were twin sisters even though she was a few inches taller than me. We don't look as much alike as we used to because, quite frankly, she's aged better than I have! If I think of it I'll see about getting some pictures of her, Janice, and me on our night out.

[Tiffanie]

I'm so happy for you Diane. It must be a nice feeling to have another soul to be open with, especially a sibling. I'm sure your girls night will be wonderful.

[Sophie Yang]

Diane,

That is a wonderful story. Hope the three of you have a great time on your girls night out later in the week.

[Vanessa Rose]

Although words must give comfort to many here as a replacement for words in person, you are fortunate to have a friend that is actual and real life. That my friend is a blessing.

Thanks for a
Sharing

Vanny

[Lillyasia]

No matter what she will always be your sister. Now you get to do some sister things together. How great is that? Enjoy your time out.

[S. Lisa Smith]

Very nice!!! Have a wonderful time!!

[Janine cd]

what a beautiful story! I hope you and your sister continue to be close sisters.

[Beverley Sims]

Diane,
I would like to think you are about to nurture a new relationship.
I hope it goes well.

[Tracii G]

Well it just goes to show you never know whats going to happen.
Absolutely wonderful story.

[Princess Grandpa]

What an awesome story! Thank you for sharing. I can't get enough of stories like this, all about love and acceptance.

Hug
Rita

[CarlaWestin]

Every story should have a happy ending like this. We've all heard too many that went the other way. I wonder what my sisters would think?

[Diane Edwards]

Just a quick note: We're off for our Girl's Night Out!

I'll let you all know how it went tomorrow as I expect we'll be out quite late.

[Samantha_Smile]

That's awesome to hear,
I wish you the best luv -x-

[julia marie]

That's great. Happy for the three of you.

[Helen Grandeis]

Congratulations! It's so nice to revel in the joy of dressing while surrounded by people who love us.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Diane, That's such a lovely story we will be standing for ( The Rest Of The Story ).

[sonialexis]

glad it turned out okay and good. I'm sure you had a ball at your night out. indeed a sweet story

[traci_k]

What a wonderful story. I am so happy for you all. Hope you have a super girls night out.

Let us know how it goes.

Hugs,

[Fortuneta]

Nice story...you will look great and have a bunch of fun!
Fortuneta

[ginafaye]

great story,....could never tell my sister...little bit of a bully..and has a mean streak toward men...maybee one piece of puzzle why i embrace my softer side

[countrygirl]

That is wonderful!

[winci]

How nice! I am happy for you.

[Candy Cox]

Nice story. You must be happy with more a more open relationship now.
Candy

[Diane Edwards]

How can I sum up our night out last night?

Superb.

I drove up north to meet Gail and Janice at their hotel, feeling nervous, excited, and a little reticent about Janice meeting her sister for the first time. The reticence disappeared once I pulled into the hotel's lot and got out of the car. After a brief stop in the ladies room to perform a quick check of hair and makeup, I made my way to their suite and knocked.

Gail answered, invited me in, and said "She's here!"

I wasn't sure what kind of reaction I'd get from Janice when she saw me for the first time, but as she came out of her bedroom and saw me she stopped dead in her tracks, a look of surprise on her face. Then, "Oh. My. God. You look like...my...my...sister!" I have to admit things got a little confused at that point, with her making a fuss over me and the strong feelings she evoked in me with her complete acceptance. I was a bit overwhelmed, something I hadn't expected. I have to admit to shedding more than a few tears. But the one thing that sticks strongly in my mind was her reaction when I spoke. I don't think she was expecting to hear the voice I had developed all those years ago. "You sound just like Gail!" I said something along the lines of "What do you expect from twins? Of course we sound alike!" It took me lots of practice to fully create my feminine voice.

About a half an hour later the three of us left the hotel to go to one of my favorite restaurants, one I knew Gail liked and that Janice would probably like. Dinner was great, between great food, great wine, and a lot of talk about things past and present. Janice had more questions, mostly about how I lived in two worlds so easily. I told her it wasn't all that easy as I had always felt more comfortable as Diane, even as a teen. I told here there were times when being Dave felt like a chore, at times like wearing ill-fitting clothing I didn't like. We also talked about my ex and her feelings about Diane, my friend Jo (someone Janice has known almost as long as I have), and what plans I might have in regards to living as Diane full time. (I did tell her about living as Diane during my work stints out on the West Coast, something she found fascinating.)

As we were paying our bill at the restaurant we talked about what we wanted to do next. Gail suggested we go dancing, something she loved to do, as did Janice. I like dancing, too, but I have to admit that I've never really been all that good at it, but I didn't let that stop me.

We went to a club Gail and I knew that catered to the ski crowd, though it wasn't nearly as busy as it might have been because it was Wednesday night, after all. I won't bore you with all the details, but we three middle-aged ladies managed a few dances, a little more drink (though I kept to soft drinks, as I usually do when en femme), and more conversation.

One of the more interesting things that occurred at the club: Janice ran across some of our old friends from our old home town. I could see she felt nervous, probably worrying about what they would think about Diane. But she didn't have to worry as they did not recognize me. (Why would they? I hadn't seen any of them in over 40 years.) She introduced Gail and I as her cousins and she relaxed when they greeted us as new acquaintances. One asked Janice if Gail and I were twins and she told them we were, and I think the question let her relax because she knew they saw me only as Diane. There was more dancing, including one slow dance with one of my former townies - he was a great dancer, by the way - and more conversation.

Finally, our night out wound down, we left the club to head back to their hotel, relaxed a bit once we were there, and then too soon it was time for me to go.

Before I left, I asked Janice if she had a great time and what she thought of her new sister. She wanted to know when we could do this again, so we've made plans for later this spring to get together, maybe down on Cape Cod or the Islands. I also told her something that surprised her: "Do you realize that not once have you used my male name? You've called me Diane all night." Her response surprised me: "Because you are Diane."

Then it was time for me to go. There were kisses and hugs all around, and then I was back in my car, headed south to home.

Once I got home, changed into my jammies (yes, I prefer PJ's), and cleaned up, I have to admit that I broke down and cried. With Janice's acceptance of me as her sister I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It was just a night out with the girls, but it was one of the best nights of my life and I look forward to more time with Janice.

I did talk with Janice on the phone this afternoon and she asked me whether I had thought about telling our two sisters, Anne and Carrie, about Diane. I have given the matter much thought, but I told her I had my reasons for not doing so, at least when it comes to Carrie. But that's a post for another time.

[Barbie Anne]

I am so happy for you Diane, and thank you for relating that beautiful experience you had. You're blessed dear and I find myself getting all weepy here :)

[Julie Gaum]

I'll confess that I have nothing worthwhile to add to your heart warming story so why am I posting? Just to hear "the rest of the story". Love these threads.
Julie

[Diane Edwards]

I'm still carrying the 'glow', the warmth I received from my sister.

She's been texting me all through the day, mostly with questions. I wish I could say I had an answer for all of them, but there were a few that I have to think about, including the one about whether it's time to reveal Diane to our two sisters.

As I posted earlier, I can see a big problem if the oldest of my sisters finds out. She's not exactly the tolerant type and never has been. My middle sister, Anne, is a different story. I think she has suspected for a long time but has never said anything. I'm not going to into it on this thread as I prefer to keep it a positive one. I have no desire to delve into something that would be a buzzkill because right now I'm feeling wonderful!

[Diane Edwards]

I have to admit that I'm still feeling 'buzzed' after my night out, almost a week later!

My sister and I have been texting, e-mailing, and talking on the phone more than we have over the past 10 years or so. It's like we're long lost siblings who have finally found each other after years apart, at least that's how it feels to me. It's like we're making up for lost time, which we are!

Frankly, I didn't expect quite this reaction..and I'm not complaining. There are so many things we have to explore, particularly as she's looking at me in an entirely different light now. More than once she's said that certain events and other things she's noticed about me in the past now make perfect sense to her. She's also been comparing notes with our cousin Gail and our mutual friend, Jo. (That's also a story for another thread!)

All in all it's been such a positive thing in my life! I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed (in a good way), seeing how it's turned out so far.

I must also take this opportunity to thank everyone on the forum who's offered support, both directly and indirectly. Even though I tend to lurk more than post, all of your posts in this great forum have let me know that I truly am not alone. And now with my new relationship with my sister, I feel it can only get better from here on.

[samantha rogers]

What a wonderful and uplifting story. Thanks so much for sharing. So great to hear such a positive message. Thank you. I am so happy for you! This made my night.

[Isa]

I am so enveloped by this story. My heart is with you and your happiness.

[Danielle71]

wow, this is such a wonderful story Diane. If everyone in this world was more like you sister and friend, I would have come out years ago. In fact I'm sure a lot of the other girls here would have done the same. It must be wonderful knowing that you can be all the woman you need to be with them!!!

kisses
danielle

[kiwidownunder]

My sister would call the police! good on you

Kiwi

[Bunty]

Lovely stories!

I hope you and Gail and Janice continue to go from strength to strength.

:)

[anonymousinmaryland]

I can only dream my sister would be so accepting.

[Stephanie47]

Diane, I love reading of your adventure and acceptance. As to whether or not your other sisters accept you or not...Don't worry about it. You're a middle age professional. You do not have to prove yourself to anyone but yourself. One does not have to go through life pleasing or conforming to everyone's beliefs or expectations. You have one sister and some friends that accept you. If one goes through life having one or two trusted and loyal friends, which may include related family, then you're a success. Enjoy your relationships.

[Amanda M]

Diane - I don't know why, but my eyes are leaking. Joy to you!

[kimdl93]

That's a wonderful demonstration of acceptance and love from your family. Relax and enjoy your newly expanding world!