Grab your tissues, because the email we are sharing in this blog post is sure to bring a tear or two to your eyes. This is from a new client. a transgender woman from Montana - she came in to see us while she was in town for an event. We are sure glad that she did. We love our clients, and the work that we do!
We thank her for giving us permission to share with you.
I've been trying to find a moment to write to tell you how how incredibly grateful I am for all your help last week with finding and fitting and styling my new wig. First because of how wonderfully attentive and sensitive you were to my needs, I felt so deeply cared for, in ways that a trans woman doesn't often get to feel. That in and of itself was a gift, being able to go through this experience without feeling the vulnerability and risk of embarrassment that is so very common in my life. You gave me a reprieve.
And I need to tell you...this wig is changing my life. In addition to the fact that it simply feels wonderful and that it makes me feel so much better about myself when I look in the mirror, I honestly cannot believe the change it is making in my day to day interactions with other people. People are genuinely acting differently toward me. Friends and clients can tell that something is different, but they can't figure out what it is. They're like: you look so good, what did you change! (It's like re-framing a picture. You don't necessarily notice the change itself, but the new context changes everything within the frame. It's really remarkable.) I've been getting so many compliments from women, complete strangers, completely unsolicited. And a fair amount of new flirtation from men! It's so much fun. It has actually become significantly easier for me to move through the world. Which...I cannot possibly convey the gift that that is for me.
I have to tell you one funny story. Before I left Seattle I was on the street and I stopped to get a hot dog from a vendor, a young woman. She looked at me and said "oh my god I love your hair!" When I thanked her, she said, "What did you do to it?" I had no idea how to answer! I've never had to answer this question, never been asked! I said, "um, I don't really know, I just let them do what they do!" Then I looked at her hair and complimented it as well. She said, "oh, this is a wig."
I about collapsed on the ground with delight. I said, "get out!" I said, "okay, I'm going to tell you something that I don't tell anyone, ever...which is that mine is a wig too."
We stood there on the street for like fifteen minutes, talking wigs. It was really an extraordinary experience.
So, I wanted to let you know all of that. I'm really wishing right now that I lived closer so that I could stop in for a bit for a styling and some coaching about on-going care. Getting the piece put on properly when I'm not looking at myself initially is a bit of a challenge, but I'm getting it figured out by feel, I think. It's been really fun, once it's on, playing around with different ways of wearing it.
I'm going to try to find a reason to get back to Seattle soon-ish so that I can stop in for a consultation.
Again, thank you so very much. You have truly made my life significantly better.
And Judi, we are totally going to get that drink one of these days and continue our conversation.
Anna