[EvaMarie]

It's a whole new ballgame when you decide to go full-time, right Annie?

Clara

And how!

I answered Sammie privately, but some of what I said may bear rehashing.

I was in a possibly unique situation in opting to 'jump in with both feet'. With no CD experience, jumping straight in as full time female was the only sensible way to go, and the easiest not the bravest option. But for most people it will be very different and much more difficult. The problem with my option was that it landed me tackling the issue of spousal relationship head on, and believe me, it is a major issue, the complexities of which I am still very far from understanding adequately. My progress so far has not been without some serious mistakes.

When I came out to my DW, I presented her with a written explanation of the situation as I saw it, and she tells me that she is working on a complementary explanation, written of course from her point of view. This I'm sure will be helpful, if not in providing a solution, at least in providing some sort of road map for navigating our relationship. She feels BTW that depersonalized versions of our explanations might be made available to other couples in the same position so that they can obtain a better idea of what they are getting into if the trans partner goes 'full time'.

The real problem is that with us 'late onset' types we have typically been married for very many years and have grown families. This is not an ideal landscape for transition, but once the TS genie is out of the bottle, you will be grossly dysphoric until you do take the plunge, which doesn't make it any easier. The problems are real, and far too many people fail to solve them. I live in hope that we can find our way through this wood, and I so much hope and wish the same for others that find themselves in the same difficult but sometimes wonderful position. Any relationship requires care and maintenance, but in the transgender situation we are trying to deal with EARTHQUAKE damage

Annie Im so much younger than you and Im still OLD!!! No offense meant either Im just proud and happy for you knowing your finally being real Good luck