I've had several very good things happen lately. Passing, blending... if not these, we all simply want acceptance. I have been blessed with all three lately!
First of all, I live with my elder sister. Her health is not great and she has never been married. After my former SO and I ended back in May I moved in with my sister to help her out and also to clear my head. She is a wonderful woman and we get along great. As Halloween came around, I told her I was dressing as a woman and she loved it. Even helped with some ideas and opinions. She had a makeup kit she gave me saying she never used it. My enthusiasm showed and she had a ball with it, going as far as saying I was the sister she always wanted. LOL Well, after Halloween was over I told her that I had several friends and made some new ones who loved me as "Christie" and wanted to hang out with me en femme. My sister said she thought it was kinda funny and cool. Over the next couple of weeks I pushed the issue in conversation and jokes. I told her that I really enjoyed being "Christie" and it was therapeutic for me in that I was not Chris when dressed and I didn't have a worry in the world. She encouraged me to be "Christie" as often as I needed to be! She even told me, and I quote... "If you're going to be "Christie" very often, you need to get some better makeup. That kit I gave you is kinda old. I don't want you to get an eye infection..." LOL... She worries about me. In short, my sister knows Christie and not only accepts her, but loves her.
I have a friend who is several years older than I am. She is an old friend of my brother's. When I was about 10 years old (She would have been in her mid 20's), she loved me. I was her little buddy and she said I was the best hugger in the world. Her name is Deborah. We reconnected about 2 years ago at a club my old band was playing in. We talked and had a great time... Then, spontaneously, we kissed. It was awkward and wonderful. We shared an encounter that found us in bed together. We both needed this at the time and have remained close again, though nothing like that has happened since. I showed her my Halloween pics and she loved them! She is one of the girls who wanted to hang out with Christie sometime. We joked about it and then, this past Saturday, I got dressed, made up, hair just so, and called her. She wanted me to come over. I drove to her house and her jaw dropped. We spoke for about an hour and decided to go to visit my friend Carrie (Christie's biggest supporter and best friend). They hit it off and the three of us had some wonderful conversations about life changes and problems we have faced, CD'ing, gay and bi people we know, and the Bible. It was amazing. We decided to plan a girl's night out soon and my sister wants to join us. After Deborah and I went back to her house we spoke more of Chris and Christie. She began to separate the two and recognize "us" as two totally different people. At one point she was looking deep into my eyes and said, "I don't see Chris in there. You ARE Christie!" She is very aware of my need for privacy on the matter. I have a new friend and ally!
Now this part is just funny and wonderful. I'll keep it short. That same night my sister and I (still dressed) had dinner and watched a movie together. I realized I had forgotten one Christmas gift while I was shopping the day before. After having such a perfect day, I decided about midnight to go to *GASP* Wal-Mart! I needed to stop at a convenience store on the way so I chose one I hardly ever go to. The guy working was very friendly and struck up a casual conversation. We spoke a bit and I made my purchase. I was very nervous and dropped some coins on the floor when he gave me my change. This young man walked around the counter and said, "Let me get that for you." He smiled at me and gave me the coins. I thanked him with a smile and he said, "Have a nice night Miss. Drive safely." I think he knew, but he was so gentlemanly and nonchalant about it! WOW!! Then at Wa-lMart several people smiled at me as I shopped. I overheard a group of guys behind me talking about that "hottie", "cougar", and "milf" in the black sweater and thigh high boots and tight jeans (Yes, I was sexied up a bit) I looked their way and gave a little wink and they all got embarrassed, laughing and smiling at me. I made my way to the checkout line and the woman behind me said, "Girrlll... I am loving those boots!" I told her where I got them and we casually spoke a bit.
In closing, I just want to say my level of nervousness about going out, passing, and acceptance has pretty much gone to almost zero! It was my best day ever!!
I'm on the right in my avatar, Julie is on the left. 
