I left the Chicago area Sunday morning, after spending the evening of December 23 through very early Sunday with Erica Ann, her spouse, children and a few other folks. During the visit, I learned several things:
1. Several months after transitioning, I knew I had become less introverted. Now I know this goes further than I initially realized. During my visit, I spent several days surrounded by people for many hours at a time. Some I had never met before. I was entirely comfortable, actively participated in conversations and board games, sat comfortably for group photos and felt no need to be alone to recharge.
Now that I'm home, I miss having those people around me. I mean I really miss all of them, and Erica Ann most of all. I wish we didn't live so far apart.
I still tend to be an introvert, but there seems to be an extravert part of me now. I am having a little trouble adjusting to being at home by myself.
When I arrived home last night, it was the first time ever that I was not happy to be back.
2. I already knew Erica Ann's spouse is terrific. This visit made that even more apparent. Erica Ann is very fortunate here.
3. I can have interesting discussions with young adults and when we don't agree, I am not bothered. Several of these talks were very stimulating. During my 20s, I tended to believe I had all the answers and thought anyone who did not agree with me was beyond a doubt mistaken. Now, I state and defend my opinion but I am not at all bothered by disagreements.
4. I saw more evidence that little children feel more at ease with me than before I transitioned. On the drive home, I stopped to get a bite to eat. As I was leaving, a young girl of 2 or 3 tried to open the door for me. I thanked her and proceeded to the next door to the outside. The young girl dashed ahead and tried to open that one, too. Then she followed me out onto the sidewalk. I asked her where her parents were and said she'd better go back inside. Just then, her father came up. As she followed him, she turned to me and waved, shouting 'bye!'
5. Saturday evening, Erica Ann, her spouse and I went to Hunter's nightclub. At one point, Erica Ann told me I had an admirer behind me. When I turned to look, he left. He came back later and sat beside me. We spoke for quite awhile and he bought me a drink. I was thrilled!
He seemed like quite a gentleman and I knew that he would probably want to spend the night together. Early in our conversation, I told him that was not going to happen. Nonetheless, we kept talking for a long time.
We kissed and enjoyed a few other expressions of physical intimacy. I was very comfortable with this. I was never comfortable with the few women I dated before I met my future wife many years ago. Even after I was married, I usually had to psych myself up to get physically intimate.
My experience with the man at Hunter's was very different. I was relaxed, confident and totally into his expressions of intimacy. It was all effortless and fun.
I know I'd like to try penetrative sex.