My name is Joanne

I don’t remember the first time I put on a dress. I have been told it was when I was 4. I was bored and was pestering my sister, Denise, and her friends. She told me that this was for girls only. She gave me two options, leave them alone or put on a dress. She put one of her old dresses on me and was given the name Joanne. I guess I didn’t mind because, growing up, I don’t remember Joanne not being part of my life.

Growing older, Denise and my mother, supported and encouraged me to explore my feminine side. I don’t remember wearing anything but panties. I liked having longer hair and had it curled most of the time. Most of my friends were girls and I was encouraged to emulate them. When I was 7, I asked to get my ears pierced.

By the time I was in High School, I was a very feminine leaning androgenous boy. I only wore girl’s jeans, earrings, subtle makeup, I started coloring/highlighting my hair when I was 14 my nails were always manicured and something I wore polish.

I was confused and didn’t know if I like boys or girls. When I was 15, my BFF Sandi, since the 1^st grade, told me that her older brother, Jim, wanted to ask Joanne to his Senior Prom. I had known him for years; thought he was cute and said yes. Sandi’s was also going to the Prom with her boyfriend Brad. We decided to go together. We had great fun shopping for our dresses and getting our hair and makeup done together.

The Prom was great fun and the first time Jim held me in his arms, I knew that I liked boys. Jim and I dated for the rest of the school year and for the summer. He always treated me like his girlfriend. All good things must end and at the end of summer he went away to college. I rarely saw him after that. I dated other boys but I couldn’t stop thinking about Jim.

When I finished High School, I was living as Joanne 24/7, had completed my laser/electrolysis treatments and wanted to start transitioning. I had been seeing a therapist and she suggested that I wait two years before starting anything permanent. That way I would be sure that this is what I wanted. I started my cosmetology training and ended up as an assistant in one of the most prestigious salons in the area. After a year, I had my own chair.

In May, I started HRT and had my orchiectomy in early August. I am now wearing a bra because I need one and not because that is what a girl wears. My hips have started to fill out too

Last week I was having lunch with Sandi. She told me that Jim had finished college, moved back to the area and just started teaching a 5^th grade class. I guess Jim had asked her about me and wanted call me. I said I have been thinking about him too and he called that night. We talked for two hours and it was like the last 5 years had never happened. We have had 3 dates now and I think we have some real chemistry.