Idk who needs to hear this but take that early transition girl out. Dress her up all pretty and assure her that anyone who dares to say a negative word will have to contend with you. Do her makeup and gently talk her through the steps, do one eye for her and let her try the other one on her own. Kiss her lips and watch the way she grins like a maniac at the imprint that her black lipstick leaves behind. Take her out to the movies or to the mall, walk around and buy her a pair of good boots without letting her look at the price tag, watch the way she smiles shyly and swoons even while insisting she doesn't need them. Tell her 'My love. You loved them instantly and they had your size- it's fate, they're meant to be yours,' and then help her sit down in one of the mall chairs to put them on, watch the way she prances around in them like an excited little girl.
Hold her hand and talk to the lady at Rue 21 for her because you know she's insecure about her voice. Go in the dressing room with her and gently help her into the skirt she was eyeing- one foot, a second, shimmy, shimmy, up- followed by a wonderfully soft sweater that falls just right over her frame. Hug her from behind while she looks in the mirror and feels beautiful, basking in her euphoria. Whisper into her ear how proud you are of her- how brave she is, how beautiful, how honored you are to be able to share this journey with her.
Take her to dinner and kiss her while you wait for your food, run your hands down her freshly shaven arms and gently caress over the back of her neck. Offer her some of your ramen while you take a bite of her fried rice, and clumsily attempt to feed her a bite of sushi with some chopsticks.
And then. Take her home, with all the bags that now hold the beginnings of her new wardrobe, and help her hang them up, try them on. Let her have a fashion show and gently wipe her makeup off before sleep. Kiss her and caress her and shower her with affection, with praise and love and adoration. Let her melt into your arms and if she cries let the tears soak into your shirt. Gently caress her hair and say 'its okay, baby girl. I love making you feel beautiful,'
Or something, idk.
To all the amazing women in the notes of this post I want to speak to you directly: You deserve this. Whether it comes from a partner, or a close friend, or even a family member, you deserve to have someone who celebrates you, who lifts you up and marvels at the heights you manage to reach once your wings grow in. And if you've never had that I need you to know it *is* possible, and not only is it possible, you are worthy of it. It may not always be as elaborate as what I described above, but I promise there are people in this world who will want to make you feel beautiful, because there is truly nothing like getting to bask in someone's second-hand euphoria.
And it doesn't matter how long you've been transitioning, how long you've 'known'. It doesn't matter if you're in the closet or transitioned 25 years ago, every single trans woman deserves at least a fraction of this, at least a similar soft memory. Because so many of you do or did it on your own, in your rooms quietly finding yourselves. But you deserve to transition loudly, joyfully, publicly, in whatever way works for you. You deserve someone who will not flinch, who will hold you up proudly and say 'Look at her, isn't she gorgeous?'
Love the trans women in your lives loudly, unapologetically, and intensely, my friends. They need it.
