I got to celebrate my first dose of HRT earlier this week, as I mentioned on the night, accompanied by some of my closest furry friends and partners in a cozy little online gathering. It was a genuinely lovely way to finally get started on this new chapter of my journey, especially given the limitations I've had to deal with, and that it's been a bit challenging and honestly somewhat anticlimactic at times.
While it was a good way to commemorate the occasion, I did feel like the physical aspect was still missing. Given that my family doesn't quite understand how much of a big deal this is to me, I simultaneously didn't expect anything to happen and also felt the thought of organizing it myself to be a bit awkward. So it didn't really feel like I was going to get much of that for a while.
For a little bit of context, a local (normie) friend of mine has been supporting me actively through some difficult times for a while now, and with me keeping him up on just about everything related to my furry life (a distinction I'm happy is becoming less and less necessary to make), he was aware of those recent developments too. He also knew that getting my approval for treatment was a long wait followed by an extremely anticlimactic response; at least around here.
Earlier this week, he invited our group of friends to come over on Saturday (last night) for games and dinner with him and his wife, who I'm also on very good terms with (she was the one who let me know that there's a government option for trans healthcare here, so as you might imagine, they've both helped me a lot through this journey). I didn't really think much of anything of it; I really like spending time with them and given that opportunities to meet are a little limited with kids being a factor and me not having my own place to host at, it seemed like a great idea.
I'm not exactly sure what it was that got me in the right mindset from the very start that night, but for whatever reason, I felt comfortable enough to just be my real self and not hold back at all. I spent hours talking their ears off about all sorts of things, and although I had a lot to say, I never felt like I was stumbling in my words or struggling to keep the conversation going in ways that were at least relevant, if not interesting. It felt good not to have to restrain myself for a change, because at the time, I was in the right mindset to just be, and not have loads of mental processes wasted on worrying about whether or not it's appropriate or even welcomed.
The night progressed as it often does, just with a far lessened sense of needing to hide so much any more. It felt pretty much like a typical, fun night with the guys (and some of the girls), but with the real me present at the table for a change.
Eventually, everyone arrived. As the last ones to get there settled in and greetings were exchanged, I noticed myself wondering if and when I should mention to everybody that I'd recently started HRT.
My friend had already accounted for that.
The next time I sat down again, he jumped at the opportunity and told me that I should close my eyes. I genuinely hadn't seen that coming, and didn't know exactly what to expect. I felt something being lowered in front of me, and he told me to open them again. He'd gotten a big cake for me which said "HAPPY BIHRTDAY" on top, with the layers matching that of the trans flag, and organized the whole party with that in mind.
I was simply blown away, and honestly couldn't tell you how I didn't feel the urge to break down into tears right there and then. Everyone was just genuinely happy for me, and I got so used to this whole thing just not being a big deal to most folks here that I don't think that the reality of the situation set in properly until an hour or so later; people - my friends - were actually celebrating the news with me.
It was Validating, in the very realest meaning of the word.
We had sparkling wine to go with the cake, and played games for a long while after that.
That sounds wonderful! My start last year was pretty anticlimactic also, I was immediately accepted by most at work, and my family had seen it coming for years. So glad to hear another success story!
That sounds wonderful! My start last year was pretty anticlimactic also, I was immediately accepted
