The Plus Side

A long time ago, in a townhouse far, far away, my wife bought me an absolutely gorgeous gown. The dress itself is beautiful, but the sentimental and emotional gesture meant so much to me. This was not tooooo long after I started to wear wigs and makeup and Hannah was first starting to emerge. The dress represented her support.

The dress was a touch too big but I was determined to wear it. I reached out to a few seamstresses and was easily able to find one who I felt comfortable with and was welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.

On a snowy, cold, icy, Friday morning, I arrived at her shop for the first of several fittings. This was the very first time I had gone out in the day and it was terrifying but also… well, anti-climatic. Of course, it was a very low risk adventure. I parked my car, walked a half block to her shop, and then returned home. But like every thing we do, this small outing gave me courage to do something a little bigger.

The gown fit like a dream.

For a while.

I stopped drinking a few months later, and my weight started to drop. Quitting drinking helped me sleep better which resulted in more energy during the day and helped me exercise in a more efficient and productive way.

The downside? The gown no longer fit.

I kept it all these years, mostly for sentimental reasons.

Our bodies change over the years, and my age and slowing metabolism added a few more pounds.

But the plus side? The gown fit again.

The gown was the last outfit I wore for last November’s MN T-Girls photo shoot. I also wore it to a play that night. I have never felt more beautiful. I had always dreamed of wearing this for an event, and a holiday play where everyone was dressed up was a perfect opportunity.

I am so excited to share with you some of the photos Shannonlee took. I hope you like them.

Love, Hannah