There are background details that will help in explaining this magical day in my life. Not being one to repeat myself, I wanted to let you know that you can find them by reading my previous article.
Last Monday, I had a life-changing event. It nearly caused me to tear-up by just typing this recap.
Two years ago, I went to the Ulta Store in Chesterfield MO. This is where my corporate office is located. I was there to teach a Software Training Class for finance executives who use our budgeting product.
While there, I made an appointment on a Monday night to get a makeover at Ulta. (No I don’t own stock in Ulta, but the people there are so accepting of me that it feels like my own private Disneyland, and I go there every week in male and female mode.)
When I stopped at the reception desk, I was told they had booked a facial appointment first. I hadn’t asked for one; they were obviously trying to boost revenue, and I didn’t mind. Patty, the woman giving me the facial was two years older than me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from her as older people tend to be less accepting of CDs, but she was amazing.
I felt so relaxed in that private room with Patty that I took off my wig and laid on her spa table in my LBD as she went about her business. After a long conversation, it turned out that she was originally from my area and had relocated to Chesterfield a few years back.
What was coincidental and amazing was that her best friend, Michelle happened to be the mother of Jeremy. He lives across the street from me on our tiny cull de sac.
Michelle lives in the sub division, too, but about four-blocks away. When I heard this news, I immediately wanted to fly home and show Michelle my feminine side. I’d known her for four or five years, always thinking that she was adorable and sweet, with her 60’s hippie charm that I love, but of course, the exchange never happened until this past Monday.
I returned from Stein Mart, wearing my casual denim mini skirt and knee-high boots, when I saw her BMW parked halfway in her son Jeremy’s garage. On an overcast day in the Chicago burbs, at 1:00 in the afternoon, I summoned up all of my courage and went across the street to Jeremy’s house. I prepared to ring the doorbell, as I figured she was alone in the house, fixing it up and getting it ready to sell.
As I approached the garage, she steps out of the door and says hello to me. I was twenty feet away and surprised that she didn’t recognize me. I don’t contour and only wear modest makeup. The fact she didn’t recognize was a gladsome reward as it bolstered my confidence.
When I got within ten feet, she became ecstatic and excited to see me. She told me I was gorgeous. We hugged, and I told her I loved her for accepting me as I was. She replied that she loved me as well.
My heart melted. Here was a woman that I had loved from a distance, and she was accepting of me. We talked in the garage for 20 minutes, but my mouth became so dry from all the nerves and talking that I needed to return home.
We exchanged contact information. I should have known her email address, it would have been easy to figure out as her husband is a lawyer and her son is their law clerk. I had previously conversed with Jeremy, via Email, about a living will for my mother three or four years ago. I should have been able to figure out Michelle’s email because of the relationship, but it never dawned on me over the course of the last two years after my encounter with her friend, Patty. Michelle helps her husband out at the law office on a regular basis.
Once I got back into my house, I immediately emailed her. I forgot that the email address for the law firm had her husband’s first initial in front of their last name, so four hours later, I got the undeliverable message from Yahoo.
Being paranoid, I thought she was ignoring my email
I resent it after looking-up Jeremy’s email address, and she responded in five minutes. She told me that she had rushed home and checked email all afternoon, believing that I had chickened out of when she hadn’t see an email from me.
She agreed to go out to lunch and shopping with me. I’m waiting to hear back on the plans. Hopefully, it will be next week.
I always wanted a nearby friend to go out shopping with, as I love being out and about. Having no one to talk to is very isolating and can generally put a damper on the whole experience.
I hope that there is more to follow and to share. The picture is of me in the Stein Mart dressing room wearing the outfit I had on when I met Michelle.
More Articles by JackieBoy
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JackieBoy
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Hi JackieBoy,
What a lovely story. You write so well. I am so glad that you have found a potential friend and confidant. It would be fantastic to have someone to go out with etc. I also think that it’s a great example of overcoming that great doubt and fear, that I certainly have, as to whether I’m going to recieve a withering look and dismissal or acceptance. I applaud your bravery and thank you for your inspiration.
XX
Kimberly
Oh Kim it really is kind of intriguing. Who knows if we will ever go out shopping or to lunch, but one can hope
great story thank you for sharing
It was so uplifting that I loved sharing it
Great article Jackieboy- can’t wait for the next installment!
Cyn
I hope I have something to write about soon
Thanks
Hi, I’m sure most of us have longed for a friend that we could just be ourselves around and do the things women do together, like lunch and shopping. I love your story. Many times I’ve pondered just how to go about finding such a friend. Well, today I had such an experience myself. I’ve been going to an electrologist for a couple of years now. I always arrive about twenty minutes early, so that I can put some lanacane on and the early arrival allows time for it to work. The receptionist is a friendly lady named Kathy and… Read more »
That does sound like a new good friend for you. That’s what I like about Ulta. When I go there dressed up they treat me like a woman and when I am in drab they treat me equally nicely. I have about 10 female friends there that I know by name and feel like they are close friends
Wow, what a wonderful and magical moment dear! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks
What a fantastic story! I look forward to hearing an update in the future, I hope you are able to go out together and have a wonderful time!
We’ll see. I hope so as she is so sweet and cute
Such a heart-warming story, JackieBoy! I love hearing about CDs making wonderful connections with GGs. It is so affirming to make friends with accepting cis-women.
It is a little frightening putting yourself out there, but I had a good idea she would be accepting of my feminine side. Thanks
This is a great story. I love hearing how Girls like us find friends to talk and go shopping with. My dream is to have friends to sit and chat with and go shopping together. My next big step i think will be a make over.
Hugs
Paula
A make over is a really important first step. They are free at Ulta as long as you buy a certain amount of product. It is also fun to get a 1 hour makeup lesson as there is so much to learn. Just dress conservatively and relax. I remember when I had my first one in a different state Idaho that I brought a large glass of wine in a plastic cup with me and it helped ease my nerves as I didn’t know the Clinique Rep. At my Ulta near my home I am completely relaxed in either mode… Read more »
Thank you. I have not seen Ultra in Ontario, I will look the next time i am in Michigan, or Ohio. I have been using tweezers to keep my Eyebrows in check. I have want the to get them waxed.
Can’t wait to try a makeover.
Paula
It is Ulta with no “R" but a store like Hudson’s Bay (once they open) probably offers free make overs as long as you buy product. I just checked and there are dozens of Sephora shops in Ontario. They do not do hair styling or brows I don’t think, but they do make overs and promote being CD friendly and once again it is free as long as you buy a certain dollar amount
There is a Sephora that just opened up near one of most frequent work stays. I will go see them about a make over when things come back up. Thank you
Good, you will be overjoyed with the process and learn so much. Tell me how it goes
Great outfit, especially with the boots
I do love those boots, but don’t think I wore them this Winter. Thanks for the compliment