On Tuesday, I made good time getting home despite rain causing people to drive like idiots. Sometimes I wonder if people are actually bad drivers or if it is somehow our cultural assumption that all other drivers are bad, but we are great! I was in this thought process in my car when NPR let …
Tag: family
Chico is My Hometown
I’m was born in Paradise, CA and raised in Chico, CA. Last night I dreamt that I had to decide between 1 of 4 pugs to save from the fires. The first pug was perfectly healthy, a show-worthy pug, an adorable specimen, healthy and whole. The second one was missing an eye and at least …
This is 30
For my 30th birthday, Katie booked us two nights at the Stehekin Lodge. For those of you who don't know where that is, definitely look it up. It's a small town at the north end of Lake Chelan. The only way to get there is by ferry, which at minimum is 2.5 hours. As remote …
Humbled
I have received several emails and comments from people like me, from The Spouses. I am humbled by all of you who have reached out to tell your story. It is an incredibly brave thing to tell a stranger about something in your life so personal and painful. I am honored to have given voice …
What If
On Wednesday last week, Katie's hormone dose was doubled and her doctor prescribed testosterone blockers. The rate at which Katie will feminize physically is going to get faster and I'm terrified. As Katie and I lay in bed on Sunday, reflecting on our weekend, a familiar stream of consciousness brought me to tears. What if I …
“T” is for Transgender: Pride 2018
I have celebrated Pride for many years in a row, at least 5 or 6. It's such a wonderful, happy time in Seattle. There is beauty in people who have personally struggled coming together to celebrate being proud of who they are. The positive energy is enigmatic, contagious. The Pride Parade on Sunday has always …
Fire, Weddings, and Ear Piercing
A couple weeks ago, Katie and I had the distinctive honor of witnessing 1 of her cousins get married. This was the first of 2 weddings this summer that we both were nervous about. Our anxiety was rooted so early on, we even discussed these weddings in The Outing. I need to point out that …
Father’s Day
This morning, I asked Katie if she wanted to wish her dad a happy Father's Day. We haven't spoken to him for a long time. Katie and I see our lives differently than he does and it's been difficult for us to find a way to each other, to connect on the island formerly seen …
Orcas Island and Intersectionality
I've spent the past week at my mom's house, a much needed reprieve from what I've fondly started calling my Stress Bubble at home and work this past month. Working in uninterrupted silence of my mom's office is so nice. I'm currently looking at my mom's dog, Gigi sleep for the 10th hour of the …
Screening the Haters
My sister has been online dating and one of her early first responses to people is "My sister is married to someone who is transgender, is that going to be a problem?" My feelings:
Facebook Outing
Today, I outed myself and Katie on Facebook. I'm terrified. We both wrote something separately, counted down a timer, and posted our stories at the same time. The result of my post is below: Dearest Friends and Family – After careful consideration, many conversations, a sprinkle of anxiety (understatement) and even some therapy, Kyle and …
Anger
I’m not prone to anger. I find anger to be a time-waster and I believe that anger is the result of feeling different emotions, stemmed in the roots of a larger problem. Often anger is tied directly to feeling hurt, embarrassed or vulnerable in some way. It’s rare I feel angry to the point of …
A Letter Unsent
Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I’m scared to tell you what I need to. I feel compelled to tell you out of the profound respect I have for the person you sculpted my mother to be and, as a result, formed me to be. You see, I believe it is not without you, that I am …
Disneyland and a Birthday
Katie's birthday is February 23rd. It's the perfect time of year for a Seattle-lite to make an excuse to vacation somewhere sunny. It's always in the 3rd month of wintery grey that those of us in the PNW start questioning the sanity with which we chose to live here. I really don't think people decide …
Shoe Shopping
Amongst many things I am struggling with in the transition process, finding shoes that actually fit Katie's ginormous, male feet is one of the more baffling mysteries so far. It is very, very difficult to find shoes that are feminine and made for larger feet. Try it. Go find them and tell me what you see. …
"T" is for Trans 