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One Year Anniversary: A Life Changed Forever-(before & after pic)


Susan R

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What a whirlwind of a year it has been. I mean that in a very positive way.  Sometimes it feels like it's taken a lifetime and other times it seems like just yesterday this whole thing just started.  I've experienced more change over this past year than possibly during my entire 56 years of living prior to starting transition.  The changes are not just physical either.  I have had my life touched in almost every aspect.  My relationships have all changed in some way or another...most have changed for the good but a few of them, to be honest, not so good.  Even those that are struggling with my changes, I have hope they may some day come around.  Some of my interests have shifted too as I've come out of my proverbial shell.  This in turn has made me much more social.  I've met so many new friends who have been so accepting of me it's been a much needed godsend.  Most importantly, I'm finally living my life as the person I was always meant to be.

 

I know that I'm still early in my transition but I have made some major headway toward becoming me.  I have accepted myself after denying it dozens of times during my life day then painfully purging all I had built. I have started on the path of medical transition with today marking my one year point on HRT.  I have changed all my name and gender markers on all my ID, all legal paperwork and everything essential in my day to day so that no one refers to me as my old dead name.  I've told everyone I know about my changes and most of those I love and care about have taken time to personally meet and spend time with me as Susan.  Over the past year, I have completely built up a new wardrobe which is still happening and I've donated all my men's clothing.  I have built a relationship with my wife that I could never believed possible.  We are like newlyweds again and have become closer than we ever thought possible.  I am, for the most part, depression free with very few exceptions.  Every day is an adventure now.  I wake up with a new enthusiasm for living.

 

i don't have many pictures of me as my old male self.  I refused to be in photos when I was male which makes it difficult to find any current pics with me in it.  In the last 11 years, I have a total of 4 images with me in them as my male persona not including ID portraits.   One was a family photo we took during Christmas 2018 but I had been transitioning medically for 3 months so it wasn't really a before image so I decided not to use it.  This picture of my male self shows me a few months before transition and was my old google male avatar pic.  I think it's good enough to see a difference between me then and now but I'll let you be the judge.  Some of you know I've lost 95lbs over this last year.  The full length selfie shows me at my target weight.  I'm still losing a pound here and there overall but I've stabilized.  My BMI is now in the 'normal' range so that's really more important to me at this point.

 

Thank you all for reading and all your support over this past year.  I look forward to the another year and I'll be sure to continue to be here to give others support when they need it.

 

Warm Regards,

Susan R?

 

1YearTransitionPic.png

IMG_1054.JPG

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Congratulations Susan!  You look great and it shows!  Look at the brightness in your eyes!  Being enthusiastic about life is definitely a great side-effect.   Thank you for sharing!

Cheers, Jani

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Different eyes is the key in the pictures, more than the hair and clothing.  Your now eyes are clearer and looking to a future.  The before eyes are stony and resigned.

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Congratulations Susan !! That's quite the accomplishment in 1 year. You look years younger and a whole lot happier today :)

 

Cynthia -

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That's such a lovely post Susan, you can just tell how much happier you are in your post -  happy 1 yr anniversary!

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Happy anniversary!  Yours is one of many transition "before and after" photos that show such a complete transformation.  You can see an enormous change in your outlook on life just by comparing the two photos.  Congrats on taking such a major step to bring happiness into your life!

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There’s definitely a lot of improvement! That hair is just growing and growing! So happy for you Susan! Here’s to another year of growth and happiness! 

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You are living a blessed life where self acceptance is possible.  Thank you for sharing your journey here with us.  We all help each other and can understand the joy and difficulties that come with this journey.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

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@Jani @VickySGV @Cyndee @DeeDee @Dev @JustineM @ToniTone @Josie Beth @Charlize

 

I thank all of you for taking time out of your day and sharing your thoughts about my one year Anniversary.  It means a lot to me.  I appreciate all the kind comments and hope to celebrate more milestones with you all in the upcoming year.

 

Warm Regards,

Susan R?

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Hey Susan..JB is right yr hair is to die for..Congrat's GF..keep it real. Be Proud, Be Save and KICK ASS

 

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On 9/25/2019 at 8:42 PM, JustineM said:

Happy Anniversary! You look great! 

Also Justine Your looking amazing as well..Love that style of hair on you

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16 hours ago, Alex C said:

Also Justine Your looking amazing as well..Love that style of hair on you

Not to hijack Susan's thread but I had also noticed the change in @JustineM's avatar.  Very nice! 

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1 hour ago, JustineM said:

Thank you. It’s just a cheap wig off Wish, but hey it looks good and it works.

Cheap wig or not it still looks fantastic, Justine! 

 

On 10/4/2019 at 6:39 PM, Alex C said:

Hey Susan..JB is right yr hair is to die for..Congrat's GF..keep it real. Be Proud, Be Save and KICK ASS

 

Thank you Alex C for the nice comp. I always try to KICK ASS when I can...lol

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3 hours ago, TammyAnne said:

Congratulations Susan R!

Looking good lady!

Thank you TammyAnne?

 

 @Alex C I forgot to mention that your new avatar pic reminds me of a younger version of the beautiful actress, Emma Thompson.  When my hair was a little shorter I wanted to have her exact haircut.  Does anyone else see a resemblance?  Your looking great!

Here's the Emma Thompson image I have that I wanted to emulate.

 

IMG_0478.JPG

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