This night, Sunday the 22nd of June, 2008, will live forever in my memory as the night a 25 year friend finally decided to try to accept me as Cathy.

This friend, has been a friend, a true friend, but my beginning my RLT, put a strain on our friendship, at least as far as he was concerned it did. For whatever reasons, he just couldn't accept that I NEEDED to do this, my RLT, that is. He had decided that he didn't want to have anything to do with me as long as I dressed female, and that, seemingly, put the kibosh on a 25 year friendship.

A couple of my other friends apparently talked to him, and convinced him to at least try, so we set up a 'movie night' at one of the other friend's house. The other friend picked me up at home and took me to his house where we awaited the arrival of my, reluctant to accept me, friend.

For the first few minutes, it was touch and go, and I wasn't sure that this was a good idea after all, but as we got into watching the movie, a real stinker, the three of us fell into our routine of MST3K'ing the movie, and before too much longer, things were just the way they'd always been! Somehow I had known that my friend would 'come around', but I didn't know when, or how. I'm pleased to say that, now, ALL my real life friends accept me as Cathy, and I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, and I am just thrilled! My housemate, Tina, has even told her new BF that, if he can't accept me as
Cathy, he needn't bother coming around!

If the rest of my RLT goes as smoothly as these first few weeks, it's going to be a breeze, and I am SO thankful to my friends, for their understanding and acceptance, and friendship.

I'm also grateful to all of you out there, who have supported me, consoled me, kicked my butt when I needed it, and have been my 'family of choice.' Without all of you, this would never have been possible for me to attempt. YOU helped me find the courage.

A happy Catherine Linda Michel said that.