Meeting others

[CJ]

Hi all,

In the coming year, I'm planning on trying to meet some of the friends I've made, here, on the forum. Not necessarily for any special TG occasion or anything, just to meet, face to face, in drab, and enjoy a good cup of joe or a glass of wine over dinner or an afternoon brunch somewhere.

This has led me to wonder how many of you have actually met other forum members in so-called "real life"? If not here, have you done so through other online friendships?

How did you feel? Were you nervous? Did this meeting consolidate your friendship? Do you still meet? On a regular basis? (Remember, I'm talking in drab, here, and about "ordinary" get-togethers.)

I guess I'm just curious as I've tried to imagine what it must be like to meet someone you've known for a while face to face for the first time. It's gotta feel a little weird.

Please, no naming of names necessary here.

Love,
CJ

[Elizabeth]

Hi CJ,

I have met people from the Internet. The first time was in 1997. I participated in an IRC channel, in fact the same place I ended up meeting Raven, and we all met in Las Vegas for a Bash. It was very interesting people in person and it was really a great time. I for sure would do it again. I have also had occassion to meet a person from this very forum that was passing through my city. We met a a Local shopping mall and just walked around window shopping and talking. Both experiences were good and I personally have no reservations about meeting people from the internet as I met my wife also, on the internet.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[JessicaM]

I have met up with one other T Girl and I would love to meet up with others but my s/o is not so keen and she doent like the thought of me meeting others. She doesnt mind me dressing and picks all my femme stuff for me. She has said it freaked her out when we met up with other T Girls

Jess

[Virginia]

Honey, you know I have! Several have come to my home, others I have met at club meetings and we have gone out together later. And....... well yes I have had the good fortune to meet several wonderful ladies in person!!!!
Virginia

[Steffie]

I enjoy meeting new people. I met a couple of Cders from another forum and I had a good time. I would also eventually like to meet some of the girls from this forum too as they all see nice and are always enouraging.

Steffie

[DonnaT]

Yes, some of us have met, and each time has been great. Friendships online, solidified in person. And no, I don't remember any nervousness.

[SilverLady(SO)]

Hi, all - - This GG answered the poll, too!

Yes, I have met one online friend in real life, and there was no weirdness or nervousness - we just had an absolutely wonderful time! Yes, our friendship has definitely solidified and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds - which has become a truly beautiful relationship with a truly beautiful person!

There are several online friends I have talked with at great length on the phone - again, no nervousness - - only frustration that we had time limits!!

Those that have become friends online - from here or elsewhere - I would love to meet in real life, and that will hopefully become a reality in the not too distant future!!



- SL

[Sally]

Yes, I've met a number of people in person as a result of first forging an online friendship and it's all been good. There hasn't been one occaison where I've regretted meeting them face to face. Having said this, I do get a 'feel' for people and if my 'radar' doesn't give me that feel for them which says all is well then I never consent to meet them face to face.

I've met people from both our walk of life and those who aren't, but it's always happened only after some considerable length of online contact only. It's always come about by a common interest, e.g. TG issues or professional occupational interests etc, but I'm always very wary of where I first meet anyone and I usually pick the time and place, which is always a very public place when a lot of people are about.

The first time I ever met people from 'our world' was in drab and eventually it led in time to us all going out together 'dressed up', we've had some gala nights out over the years. We may not keep in contact now as often as we once did, but that initial personal contact and the years after proved to be a very important part of my life and growth in many aspects.

It taught me that time together for us is paramount and if one has never experienced it, then one will never know the value and how much it does for us just spending time with 1/2/3 or more people of our own ilk over a cup of coffee, and 'chewing the fat'. An hour or two from time to time spent together just chatting and comparing notes can teach us more than we could ever gain from years and years of just reading articles. There are many, many benefits to be gained, amongst other things this type of personal contact proves to us that we're not so different as we may have thought. It will prove there are many others who are exactly as we are and they live a good productive normal life and what we may have been thinking most of our life was really just in our own heads and conjured up in darker moments to our detriment and those around us.

It's much easier to meet people from our walk of life online, and if care and caution is taken as to who and where we meet them personally, then it can be life changing for the better. It's the best and cheapest therapy one could ever wish to experience.

Kind Regards,

Sally.

[Anita]

Hi CJ--
One very good friend off the Internet, although distance keeps us from seeing each other these days. She's in central NJ, and I'm in CA. She had one of the early CD websites that I went to.

I've only met one person from on here, and that was before this forum was around. One of my support group gals signed on here, so I see her from time to time.

I feel like I'm not keeping up with my here/now friends as well as I'd like, and it's frustrating to know that there's little room for adding more. What I like best is functions like support group, where I see everyone together.

[Susan]

I have an online sister who lives 200 miles from me. We normally only get a chance to meet when we are in London. Then we grab a lunch or something to gether and have a good old fashioned chin wag. She is the same in real life as her online persona.

The next time I am in California, Margaret from this forum and I are planning to meet for the first time. I know I am looking forward to it

Susan

[Lawren]

Yes, CJ. I have met face to face with people I have met online. A couple of ladies, GGs for dating purposes which did not work out, one CD who turned out to be gay and only wanted a long term relationship with another CD, and last and best, my GF who accepts my CDing. The moral; be very carefull about who you choose to meet.

[Susann_Gardener]

I have met one other t-girl, now moved far away, but we email.
I have been trying to meet with a couple others here in the area, but feel great reluctance on their part. Just want to gofor a coffee and see how things go from there.
Susann

[Laycee]

I have met several people from an old TalkCity chat room, including my current wife of 5yrs. But most definately, caution must be taken first and foremost.

[Carol Ann]

Oh yes, there is nothing like a Tri-Ess or support group to me people. I am always looking for other girls to meet. Carol Ann

[Carolynn]

I have yet to meet anyone from an online group I participate in. I do regularly go out to eat with people from my support group, and if all goes well I will meet a TS from the Dallas area I know from on-line when I go Electro-2000 on the 24th of April. We plan to get together the night before my appointment, when 4 days of facial hair will make me being drab a necessity, but she will be enfemme--she is full time in the midst of her RLE right now.

Would enjoy meeting any of you, any time.

Love, Carolynn