I am writing this at the end of the best 4 days of my life. This is not a statement I make with abandon, rather I make it with the most careful deliberation. On Wednesday, 5 minutes before noon, I left to go see my family for the first time in five years. I had come out to them as transgender and beginning transition over the past 6 weeks, to positive reactions I’ve written about elsewhere. However, unlike every time in the past, this time I would be standing face to face with them, and look them in the eyes. Would I see shame not inflected in their voices; disappointment and downcast eyes, embarrassment only evident after a couple of days of quiet acceptance and food deliveries or a few too many drinks one night? All this and a thousand more scenarios ran through my mind as I made the drive. Some scenarios were frighteningly realistic, as I’ve heard hundreds of tales told by my friends in this world that ended in sadness, despair, and a few times, tragedy. Others with mixed results, some family standing by their newly discovered daughter (or son), others drinking the cup of division and discontent and disowning them.
I pulled into a truck stop an hour from my place and changed into what I used to think of as Tiff mode, but now think of as myself. In the 9 months since I joined CDH, I have come to the realization, acceptance, and embracing of the fact that as a transgender woman I am Tiffany, I am not a mask or an alter ego. There’s not a guy core deep down inside me, it’s just more pink fog all the way to my center, which I imagine looks like a butterfly of sapphire and diamonds, or something else really cool. I am just fine with this. Little Tiff, who I had in ignorance cruelly suppressed for 37 years, is now in the driver’s seat, and I’m loving every minute of it. 7 more hours pass as I drive. I call my best friend Jenn. Call my mom. Receive reassurances. Get gas and get out fast cause I’m still not totally confident in public, and also it’s cold outside. Drive through the sunset, check my makeup at a rest area with terrible lighting, and pull in front of my brother’s place just after 9:30 that night.
Pulse pounding I walk up to the door. It’s a cozy house, with colorful Christmas lights in the bushes. I stand at the door for 30 seconds. I press the doorbell, mouth dry, and await the response with bated breath. Then the porch light comes on and the door opens and my brother and mother and my brothers wife are hugging me and telling me they love me and they miss me and I’m crying and saying the same, and oh thank you God, thank you so much, thank you I’ve come home at last. My brother and I bring the stuff I brought into the house and I explain the gigantic tub of guy clothes, I’ve got maybe a year and a half left of ever wearing male clothes again so I’ve no need for the lot of it. I’ve kept enough to get me through so might as well give the unworn stuff to someone who plans to actually be a guy for a living. We talk late into the night, catching up on times missed, adventures had, and the elephant in the room, me deciding to execute operation “tiff4ever2021”. They accidentally call me by my male name now and then but I tell them not to worry. Still, by the end of the night, and a couple bottles of wine later, they are correcting each other when one accidentally misgenders me. Their kindness moves me to tears time and time again. We go to bed, and I fall asleep in seconds.
I wake up early, full of energy, and still a bit nervous, ’cause my dad is coming over that day. He was the one that had the reservations, wasn’t crazy about the transitioning part. But I shower, get dressed, choosing a pretty green white and black paisley/floral pattern skirt, black sleeveless blouse, and green cardigan. As I walk out into the living room, I hear little voices and look to my left, where two adorable little faces are peeking from behind an ottoman. My brother is on the couch, sees me, and stands up. He then looks at my niece and nephew, 7 and 4 respectively, and introduces them to their auntie Tiffany. A couple of “Hi aunt Tiffanys” follow, and then a knock at the door a few minutes later brings my dad into the house. We hug and say I love you, and sit down. No fight. Just like that. The day passes quickly and peacefully, and good, happy, wholesome memories are made. Many jokes are told, and happy laughter fills the air. Gift exchange follows. Everyone is sitting around the tree having a wonderful time. My gifts are small, but heartfelt. Christmas ornaments that say Tiffany 2019 (it’s my first actual Christmas). Cards with long heartfelt messages. Wine and for my brother, good scotch.
Around this time, i realize that I feel something I haven’t felt since I entered my emotionally abusive marriage 11 years ago – joy. No fear. Just happiness. This was how normal people have Christmas. No knowing some impossible to predict transgression would bring humiliation later. Just pure goodness, with good people who were happy to be around each other, and who loved me, Tiffany or not. In fact, they seemed to really love me as Tiff. I was free in a way I’ve never experienced. I had nothing to hide. I was home, and I was myself. Finally myself.
The next day, I went shopping with my mom and my brother’s wife, at Ulta, where I got a bunch of stuff that’ll let me up my game as Tiff. Then we went to my nephews’ Christmas party, where I watched little goobers run around and play. Then it was home, to change, so we could go out to dinner. Italian food was that night’s fare. We sat in the middle of the busy dining room, and had a long, leisurely dinner, as a happy family. We had a wonderful day. We stayed up til 2am talking. Then sleep.
The last day found me reflecting upon the prior three. My mom referred to me as her daughter, my brother had told me he thought I was a cool sister. My niece had been warming up to me and told me that she would really miss her auntie Tiff. She asked me not to leave, because apparently I was “too awesome” to leave. And I’d just met her, so I should stay.
Turns out my brother’s wife was a beautician, and all the products I’d gotten worked better than the old stuff. And I’d gotten a bunch too. Along with a bunch of liquor. As gifts for me.
Also, as it turns out, my parents saved all my old childhood toys. And the boxes they came in. I grew up in the original Star Wars era, and the toys were things like the millennium falcon, and the AT-AT walker. They even kept the instructions. Literal treasure.
I left with a full Jeep, and a full heart, glowing with happiness, my soul shining with joy. On the way home, I called the rest of my family, told them about Tiffany. They were all fine with it. I didn’t lose a one. And I never have to hide again.
I know our road is hard.
I know the bad ending comes
Most don’t see this part
Please do not despair
Better days await
Sometimes though
Sometimes someone wins
This time it was me.
My numbers matched exactly.
I still cannot believe it.
The winning ticket.
It’s in my hands. It really is.
It’s not a dream it’s better
My prize is all I wanted
A few bonuses as well
4 days in heaven with angels
3 wishes granted to me
Too much treasure to carry
And one heart filled, by the love of the others
God bless y’all.
Stay strong.
Stay beautiful.
And may you get the Hollywood ending!
It happened to me.
Someone really does win.
I love you all so much
Sometimes Life is beautiful.
Tiffany Alexis
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Tiffany Alexis
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I’m so happy for you Tiffany as I wipe my eyes I can only wish that my family will be as accepting! Fortunately the most important ones already know, (children) but the rest of the family is yet to be informed. Congratulations on having a great experience with your family after such a period of time
Ty Tammy I hope the rest see you for you and remember that they want you to be happy too.
Tiffany I am so happy for you and the experience of a joyful holiday.
But OMG, an AT-AT and Falcon with boxes and instructions!!!!! A dream come true!!
Ty Mysti!
You should see the treasure trove I hauled. I left over half , and filled a 4 door jeep Sahara with what I brought. Many are with the packaging. Got like 2000 movie trading cards from the 70s too. It’s like finding pharaohs treasure, if pharaoh was a nerd.
Nerd here. If you ever want to happy brag with pics, I would love to see the haul!
Send me a pm and I’ll brag 🙂 it’s an impressive haul
You look beautiful Tiff, and youre so lucky to have an understanding mom!
Ty christine! I’m very lucky indeed
I used to secretly wear my mom’s clothes. I always thought it would be so nice if we could dress up together.
Me too, and I finally got to do it 🙂
Beautiful story Tiff, So happy to read that in a short time here you have come to the realization that you have always truly been and will always truly be a trans woman. You are such an attractive young lady and I wish you all the best as you continue on your journey as a woman. I nearly cried with joy when I read that your Mom referred to you as her daughter. I am sure that was a very proud and happy moment for you, I look forward to reading about your future experiences as you proceed through life… Read more »
Thank you Arlene! It’s wonderful to be myself finally, and I want nothing more than for others to be able to do the same. The feeling of peace, it’s like water in the desert. Once you taste it, you’re swept away, least I was. I’m fine with that, too, I love it.
Got all misty-eyed reading this one. Thanks, Tiff, for the beautiful, heartfelt description of your awesome family Christmas. You story gives encouragement and a glimmer of hope to many.
Thank you Rochelle…the response I’ve gotten to this article is wonderful and I’m hoping many more will one day get to have holidays like this in our world.
Sooooooo excited, happy for you and proud of you.
You sound like an amazing woman and your family sounds great as well.
Enjoy the you you have always been as the world needs her beautiful presence.
Thank you Anastasia! My family is truly wonderful, and I’m blessed to have them.
What a beautiful story. I’m so glad that thing are working out for you now
Thank you Wendy! It’s helping a tremendous amount, them having my back.
WOW! What a story! I am so happy for MS Tiff! Family Acceptance seems so rare when we attempt to tell our own who and what we really are. Loved the tale, wish that had been my own story…but read on to see my own tale.1 I had 17 aunts and one uncle in the family, the grandparents stopped trying after the baby boy was born. Both grandfathers were binge alcoholics, my maternal grandfather a mean drunk, tried to kill the monsters hiding in the corners of his house when he came home (frequently) full of “John barleycorn” (according to… Read more »
Thank you Suzanne, and thank you for sharing your story with me. I am sorry that you had to repress this part of yourself so deeply, but at least you found us, and at least suzanne got to see the sun. I really really wish there was some way to make everyone be as accepting as my family, it breaks my heart that so many are not.
Xoxo
Tiffany