My 13 Stages of Being Me...

Stage 1:
Realize that you'd rather play with Barbies than Tonka Trucks. Age 3

Stage 2:
Realize that you'd rather wear dresses than suits. Age 5

Stage 3:
Realize that you prefer to be around women than men. Age 10

Stage 4:
Realize (after the discovery of pornography) that you would rather be the girl than the guy. Age 11

Stage 5:
Realize you are a girl in a boy's body. Age 11

Stage 6:
Discover the word "Transgender" and realize it applies to you. Age 23

Stage 7:
Research Transgender sexual reassignment procedures in depth like it was your goddamned job. Age 23

Stage 8:
Come out to your friends, family, coworkers, etc. Age 25

Stage 9:
See a therapist and discuss hormone Replacement Therapy and Reassignment surgeries. Age 30

Stage 10:
Begin living, dressing, and presenting full-time as the woman you are. Age 43

Stage 11:
Begin Hormone Replacement Therapy. Age 44

Stage 12:
After two years (minimum) on HRT, make plans for facial feminization surgery, top surgery, and/or bottom surgery with the help of your therapist and specialists in sexual reassignment surgery. (optional) Age 46

Stage 13:
Live as who you were born to be without the world telling you that you're wrong. Age 47

I begin Stage 11 on the 28th of this month, in one week (7 days).