ShellBell

I broke 100 for the first time ever. I parred the 18th hole for a 99 on a tough course (Great Oaks in Floyd, VA). I'm an almost 50 yo woman and this is my third year playing golf. When my bf asked if I could do it again, I "Hell yeah'ed" him.

I am the mother of a 17 yo daughter who is transgender. Everyone in the family and friends knows this. We are close family friends with another family who are like my own family. The three adult sons are like my younger brothers, and I have always gone to this family's house for Christmas Eve. I've raised my three children in this tradition and treasure it greatly.

We were at this family's house for Thanksgiving, no problems. It's natural for me to use female pronouns now, and I'm pretty automatic with it (although name use has been harder but that is also more recent).

I went by her house recently to pick up some presents I'd had delivered there for my kids. In conversation, I stated

I work in a public school as an itinerant professional. While in a hall working through a student's behavior, a teacher with whom I shared communal space last year weekly, and with whom I'd had numerous 1:1 conversations, walks by and says, in regard to my patience with the student, "Wow. I'm really glad you're here this year." Then goes on to say, "You look really familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" I was a little shocked, but replied, "Um...Yeah...I'm ShellBell. I worked here the past two years." "OH! Wow, you look different. What'd you do?" I've lost weight and cut my hair." "Well, you look GREAT!" "Thanks!" Then she walked out. I was at a loss for a few seconds thinking she