This journal entry is especially written for my friend Mea who has closely followed my journey and provided me with support, encouragement and courage. Thank you Mea. I hope you have some understanding of the value you played in my journey.
On April 18th 2012 I legally became Laura Catherine P*****. My supervisor from work had come with me and I was a nervous as one could be. I don't know what I imagined could go wrong but it was a big...no huge day...as I was giving up a name and identity that I had lived with for the better part of 57 yrs. Well in the end, all went without a hitch and it seems as soon as it began, it was over, and I was legally Laura Catherine P*****. I have to say that I love seeing my name in print, hearing it being said and signing it. So few of us get to pick our names and I really love mine. Over the next few days I update my social security card, obtained a new driver's license, my personnel record at work, ID card for work and my retired military ID. Then there were also bank records, college records, professional license and many other places to change my name. I'm nearly done but I can't get complacent as there are a few more to go. While I had a new legal name and appearance, I was still legally a male. Well that all changed on May 2, 2012. Armed with a letter with very specific language from my medical provider I headed to the DMV and was, as the rules allowed, able to change my gender marker to female. Later that same day my application for my new passport was in the mail. As Florida actually adopted the rules for gender change that the State Dept put into place in 2010, there is no doubt that my passport will come back in my current, legal name, current appearance and with a female gender. Yes, now I am legally a woman. I also began living and working full time as a female on the afternoon of the 17th of April and I can tell you, it's better than I could have imagined. The reception at work has been amazing and I am happier beyond belief.
My day in court. :-)
So, that's it. Transition complete. My journey goes on though as my body will continue to change and I can consider surgery next year. But now it's just time to live and enjoy life every day.
I cannot promise that I will continue to make journal entries and if I do, they will likely be far between and focused on significant events. There was a time that writing was therapeutic but now that I am living full time I have more support than I could have dreamed of and the writing does not have the same impact it once did. That's why this entry is titled; "For Mea" as it's really written for you, more than for me.
Please do stay in touch, you have my email address. If you ever get on facebook, look me up. :-)
I am sincerely,
Laura Catherine
