I've been in the market for a new office chair and went to a local furniture store that I knew sold the brand I favor. I backed my car into one of the parking spaces right in front of the store's door so that I could easily load a chair. I went in and two lovely ladies greeted me. I was not dressed en femme. They didn't have the chair in stock but would have it shipped from their warehouse so I could pick it up the next day.
It was noon, and one of the women who happens to be the studio manager was on her way out the door for her lunch break, so she walked with me to the door. Outside, she read my license plate ("NEED2CD") aloud and asked, "what is 'CD'?" I said, "It means cross dress. I'm a cross dresser." She said, "Are you serious?! I think that's GREAT! I can't believe it! Bring photos tomorrow when you return." And then she walked to her car and I went on my way.
The next day, I loaded some photos on my phone and headed back to the store to pick up the chair. Again, I wasn't dressed femininely. Both ladies greeted me extra enthusiastically. I realized that the manager had told her assistant about our CD conversation. I was very pleased that she'd shared that. Immediately, the assistant asked if I had photos. I handed her my phone and she swiped through them. She was really complimentary, as was her manager when she looked. I do think they were genuine.
The store happened to have no customers so both ladies pulled chairs up to the counter with me sitting on the other side and they were entranced in our conversation as they asked many questions about why I cross dress, what my spouse thinks of it, and what experiences I've had in public. There were so many questions that I can't remember them all. I truly enjoyed answering their questions. They were so supportive and kept saying how inspiring it is that I go out in public dressed. I asked them if I could drop by sometime en femme and they said they expected me to, and to do it sooner rather than later. They said if any customer had a problem with me, then they'd tell the customer to leave because they don't want those kinds of people as customers.
We had a long discussion and I finally got ready to go. They said they could talk to me for hours. They each gave me a hug and and wished me well. I had a small vase of flowers delivered to each of them the next morning, with a note of appreciation for their time and interest in talking to me.
Later the next day, each of them sent me an email describing how much they enjoyed meeting and talking with me, and how they continued to think about me and and were even inspired by my story. They liked the flowers, too. They addressed me as "Amanda" in their emails, referred to me as "friend," and asked that I come back very soon.
It is such a blessing to make two new understanding friends! They're both such beautiful souls.
