What a great week off I had. I have to say that this past week had not only been good for the relaxation but good for the soul as well. I had some incredible interactions that resulted in some really funny moments. Let me first start off by saying that the most reassuring feeling I find is to walk into a Victoria Secret with Diane and hear good afternoon ladies. For some reason that more than any other place seems to give me the most accepted internalized "It's finally here" feelings.
Last Friday I received a phone call on my answering machine from my insurance agent. It would seem there was an issue with the corporate site and my email being outdated so I signed onto the site to update the email. It dawned on me during the process that I never updated my name and as luck would have it, that was one of the things that could edit right on the site and in doing so I left a comment as to why it was being edited.
I've dealt with this insurance agent for close to 20 years and in fact the girl I've dealt with is the same age as me with an incredible smile and personality. She was always the type of girl I would have been attracted too when I was single (Oh so freaken long ago).
While in the car my cell phone rang and it was my insurance agent. When I picked up the phone I knew full well what this was about. "Hey I had to confirm this weird email we got from corporate" she stated. So I asked her "If it were true would you be shocked?" " Of course I would" she replied, " When I read it I thought, no way he was always so cute that I would have dated him!"
Without missing a beat I shot back "Well that's why I had to do this, you never made a move"
Now obviously I was teasing as I am deeply in love with my wife but hey, I figured it was good for a laugh and of course her replay was "Hey you were married and so was I" Obviously this was good for a laugh.
The funny moments never cease to amaze me and I do have quite a bit of fun with them. This past weekend on Facebook I found some very old friends that Diane and I had not seen in years. We had originally met these friends through a mutual acquaintance (IE: My best friend) When I saw them I thought I would have some fun and I shot an message off to the first girl.
Now if you're on facebook you know that there is a picture in your profile and the picture I have currently is the one with my new bangs. Funny enough, before transition I was always so paranoid of posting pictures of myself because I assumed people would "Figure me out" or know who I was. In this case the message went something like.
Do you know me? Clue: Zeppelin
Many years ago on a cruise with these friends the islanders in St Lucia had been calling me "Zeppelin" because of my long hair. It was only fitting that this person should know me by that name. But in her reply it was simply, .Sorry, no I don't know you. In my 2nd set of clues I obviously went a little deeper and her reaction was wait a minute Kevin does kind of sound like Karyn. When she realized it was me she was blown away and that I looked "fabulous" (Which sounded like a good thing) She then told me that I should mess with another friend because this was too juicy to not spill the beans.
So again "Do you know me?? Clue Zeppelin and Blondie
"Her response was even better. "Sure I know you, I'd recognize you by your picture, you look just like your dad, how is Kevin and Diane"
Yup she though it was my daughter!! I certainly hope that means I look good ..LOL
Over the last few days they have been incredibly sweet to me and I've even noticed when talking about me in wall to wall conversations the pronouns are spot on. In seeing that there is no greater gift than that type of acceptance and seeing those pronouns have just been so warm to me.
I can't help but embrace the humor in this. I never want to take myself too seriously in my transition and I hope that others who know me find some comfort in that. I hope that as much as they need to adjust to a new visual change, the humor keeps the spirit of the person they knew…
~K~
3 comments:
I recently went through the "change of name" thing with the company that handles my car and house insurance, but I had to do it in person. :-)
The ladies at the counter were cool about it, when presented with the finished deed including the changed drivers license and legal name change document, what could they really say? They were nice to me though, I haven't had any rudeness from anyone that I deal with yet. It's been much smoother than I had expected.
It's interesting reconnecting with old friends that haven't seen you for quite a while, you don't know what the reaction will be, at least your old friends reacted well!
It is fun when I connected with old friends as Shauna now, at first they have no clue but the name really throws them because basically it is Shawn without a ua. You look great and great post too.
I really admire your sense of levity through all that you have been through. I suppose it helps having a supportive spouse, but that does not take away from a great personality and an understanding of others as they grasp the reality of your change. I usually have a great sense of humor, but struggle these days with it due to the issues my wife and kids are having with my transition. But only time will tell, so I will try to let some of your good spirits rub off on me :)
Hugs, Tiana :)
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