I think Nicole's response resonates well with me. Other than the fact that my mother worked as well, as a bookkeeper.
My dressing is compartmentalized as well. In fact, that is the exact word that was used as my wife and I went to our therapist after I came out to her. That notion, in her estimation, was a positive, and less threatening to my wife in terms of where this might or might not lead.
On the other hand, I have a soft, emphathetic side. My wife loves this. But neither of us considers it feminine. And it has no connection to the things I do. I build and fix things, I work with my hands, a lot of stereotypical 'man' stuff.
One exception: sports. Just not into it, maybe other than golf. Countless times, I have to shut down a male friend who asks me about 'the game' last night....I don't know, and I don't care....lol
One more thing. As I dress more and more (having just started 6 months ago after a very long hiatus), my pleasure in it and love for it becomes more profound. But yet, I still feel like a man in a dress, and that's fine with me.
Chelsea
