By Maddie Smith

I hadn’t intended to write a part three in this series until thinking about my day afterwards. When I stopped and contemplated the significance of what had just happened, I knew I had to put it into words, even if just for my own satisfaction, to record the event and remember it later.
Back a step or two. The first piece that I had graciously published by Kandi covered the very first time I let my now wife see me dressed. As in, fully dressed and made up. She was totally agreeable to doing so whenever I was ready, and on this momentous day (for all the wrong reasons as it would transpire) she would meet Maddie.
I’ve explained before, my darling discovered Maddie, and the love of my life is the smartest, most practical woman I’ve ever met, one who has blossomed in recent years, for which I can take some of the credit. The ability was always there, she just needed someone on her side encouraging her, rather than doing what the opposite of that is. I won’t get started on that subject …
So, to see my beautiful clever girl in tears, and stressed out by the whole thing, hurt me more than I could say. Short version of the full article, Maddie was pretty much put back in the box that night.
We figured it out over the following few days. For some reason N arrived home to a woman she didn’t recognise, after leaving the guy she loved that morning. She felt like she was cheating … And yes, we both agreed that was a crazy reaction, but the real issue proved to be the complete change to Maddie without being there through the steps.
I made things worse by suggesting she do our forthcoming makeup lesson alone and that Maddie would be relegated to history. Never make a unilateral decision. That was my biggest mistake.
The one positive for me, and it brought a smile to my face whenever I thought about it, was that she saw a woman waiting at the door to greet her! I was clearly making progress.
Which brings us to the story. N was having some time off after Easter, so I asked her if she would come with me for lesson two with the new makeup artist and then, the big one, go out for lunch and shopping afterwards. The answer was yes, of course.
To explain another amazing thing she did, the reason she wasn’t there for my first ever time out was that she didn’t want to be a distraction. If we had run into someone we know that would have been difficult. Any wonder I’ve married her?
So, the plan was that she would be our model for the lesson. I’d do one side, the MUA would do the other side. Then we would head out for brunch. I waited very impatiently for the day to arrive.
When it comes to preparation, I need a few days, mostly in the name of hair removal. To set the scene, in normal life I’d fit in as the ZZ Top drummer better than Frank Beard does. I’ll leave you with that image … I started earlier this time and did a makeup test on myself a few days before the outing as a) I planned to do my makeup before we left home to save time (the MUA would fix my mistakes …) and b) I needed to time how long everything was going to take. Not a pretty result – a 5am start was needed!
I sent my test images to E (the makup artist) and her exact response was “you look just like another woman”. How could you not love her with a comment like that!
And so, finally, the morning arrived. I don’t know about you girls but the last time in my life I can remember being so excited about waiting for morning was when I was a kid on Christmas Eve. Well, there may also have been one or two dates in the intervening years that kept me awake with excitement …
I recently had an email conversation with Kandi where I mentioned that I had over-shaved in preparation for my last time out. She says you can’t overdo it. Oh yes you can, and I was proof positive of that! In the intervening weeks I had been working on finding products to improve the situation (as an aside, hair removal cream won’t shift one single hair on my chest, that’s what I was dealing with …) and that wouldn’t set off such a reaction. I found a great shaving cream plus N set me up with the most awesome razor for arms and legs. US products too, so no tariffs for you girls … I sense another article coming. With shaving done and a much happier chest, it was dressing and makeup time.
In the intervening weeks I had made one more change – I had ordered new shapewear. Proper stuff. The good stuff. From Rago in the US. The NZ$ to US$ exchange rate isn’t pretty so I didn’t look too hard at my bank account afterwards … (or last night when I ordered another piece – it is that good).
We are also on a major weight loss drive around here at the moment. We are both down by close to 20lbs and the difference, combined with the shapewear, is just off the chart. I told N the challenge is to get to the point where we can both head out together each in an LBD and look hot. That time may be getting closer than I realised, although there’s another 30 pounds to go.
Time disappeared rapidly but I had the makeup looking pretty good (the photo on the steps was as we left) and even if the neighbours had seen us leave, I wouldn’t have been too concerned. There is something cool about sitting in peak traffic knowing that every car driving past can see you and yet being completely comfortable with that. And I was.
The lesson was great! N looked fabulous afterwards and for me it was a whole new experience to work on someone else. I highly recommend it. Apprentice makeup artist! After the MUA fixed everything I did on N (!) it was my turn in the chair. She reworked my lipstick and changed the contouring a bit. The only major mistake was that she had given me a luminizer to use and I had overdone that. Then it was time to head out with the girls, which is the whole reason I do this.
We ended up at the same café as the previous time as the food and coffee were great. It was school holidays so there were far more people around and that meant no parking, necessitating a longer walk in heels, something I was actually happy about! I’d have felt cheated if we had found parking outside the door. We had a wonderful brunch, and I tried not to talk too much, which gave the other two girls a great chance to get to know each other better. I attempted to eat elegantly and femininely, long nails certainly help with that, but I look forward to the time it is completely natural to act that way without thinking first. I’m nearly there but it is easy to revert to leaning forward or separating the legs a touch. The part I loved most was that it was completely natural to be out with N in that situation and neither of us was in any way uncomfortable. Box ticked.
We went shopping. The clothes shop was busy, like packed with people busy, to the point that both girls checked with me from time to time that I was ok and comfortable. I have such wonderful support. I was, although I didn’t try anything on this time as there was a queue for the changing rooms. Once again E found something she thought would be perfect for me. I sent N to try it on, and she said it was a definite Maddie piece, not her, so she purchased it for me.
Once again, and all too soon, it was well into the afternoon and E had to get back for her next client. N and I went home via a quick fuel stop. As I sat in the car I think, for the very first time, at least that I’d noticed, I may have been made. I regret that I didn’t smile at the woman rather than look away, which is what I did. I have to work on that …
Once we got home, we found a parcel had arrived. In it was a silver/black dress I had high hopes for. The good thing is that N and I are the same size/weight, but different shapes. If it doesn’t work for one it usually works for the other. And so began an impromptu dressing session. I love that girl so much!
N tried the dress I’d worn all day and looked so much better in it than I ever could, so she snaffled it for her wardrobe! I tried the top we had just bought. Never has a piece of clothing fitted Maddie better. A whole $6! Which is just over $3 in your currency. I was thrilled that it was long enough to wear as a dress. Then N threw me her jeans to wear underneath it. Perfect too!
Finally, the new silver and black dress. N tried first, So-so. Then I put it on. I had just one thought – I wanted to put on some higher black heels, slap on some red lippy and head out again! For the first time I wore something where I actually felt I looked hot!
So, now I’ve ordered another piece of shapewear with suspenders. When it arrives I will have to organise a night out with the girls. N says seamed stockings. I think smoky eye and bright red lipstick to go with that. I’m getting far too excited again. Bring it on!!!


6 Responses
Maddie ,
It must be a tough one for our wives/partners when they say goodbye to their man in the morning and are met by a woman who they don’t quite recognise . I never reached the point you have , my wife never got over the fear of seeing me as a woman , she’s only seen me once as Teresa and that was after we separated when she popped in for coffee and hand me our marriage certificate so I could proceed with our divorce .
Prep time can be a drag at times and I agree you have to research good shaving items , I close shave my face everyday and then my hands, arms , chest and legs , I admit I only do my back once week . I rise at 7.00am if I want to be at my art group for 9.00am , in that time I’ve shaved , applied makeup , dressed and had my breakfast , I never leave the house without makeup .
The moments that stick in my mind are the wonderful experience of another woman applying your makeup and checking out her handiwork in the mirror . The other is getting use to driving , looking down at your legs in tights/stocking with heels and the second look male drivers give you .
Responding to other women when dressed does take time to adjust to , I find I smile far more .
I did enjoy your stories , it’s always so good to read when a couple can accept the situation and enjoy the journey together .
I always enjoy your responses Teresa. Isn’t it amazing how it is the little things that bring so much pleasure – looking at your heeled legs, with a skirt just above the knees, while driving, is a big one! The ones that bring me less pleasure include seeing the photos published, realising I had ones that were probably better, and recognising I chose the ones I did mostly because I can see what needs to improve next time. I must use the SLRs more for these sort of photos; it’s hard enough getting a smooth foundation without pixels dictating how it looks. I know you will relate to all of that. And even though photoshop is my superpower, I refuse to manipulate any of my own photos past cropping and depth of field. That was fine once upon a time when I wanted to see what was possible, but now I’m in public a bit I have to produce a real look, and kidding myself graphically won’t advance that!
It will be great when I can do it all in 2 hours! Reality is that the opportunities are too far apart ever to get to that point.
So, girl’s night is booked, it’s very public and I now need to make that silver and black dress rock!
And yes, we are enjoying the journey together, although I think next week with what is planned for girl’s night will likely be Everest for me, and what comes after that will be more pinnacles, just maybe not quite so high.
But something happened at the weekend – there was a conversation. Kandi will likely be receiving that story this morning after I proof my writing. If she runs it, it will explain how there is a different spin on my thinking now.
Maddie,
Forget 2 hours , how about twenty minutes ? I often meet my sister in law for coffee , on one occasion she rang to say she would be in town in the next twenty minutes , in that time I had to apply makeup and dress and I was still in the coffee shop before she arrived . Can you believe she bumped into a friend while we were waiting to pay and she didn’t miss a beat introducing me , sometimes support comes from totally unexpected people .
It’s great you have your wife’s support but take care not to assume too much , it’s all new to her so she might want to take a step back .
I admit I do miss my photography not only the picture taking but also what I could achieve in the darkroom .
That’s impressive!
It is so hard to explain how amazing the relationship we have is. How close we are and in sync is just impossible to explain. Step back won’t happen, but I did find an issue.
If Kandi runs what I sent this morning you’ll see what I mean …
Hi Maggie,
Congratulations on your and N’s weight loss so far. It’s tough. Twenty years ago, I weighed 55-60 pounds more than I weigh now. The tough part is keeping it off. But fitting into cute fashion is a great incentive.
How much weight did you lose just shaving off the ZZ Top beard??? (JK)
I hate shaving, the stubble gets to me, so I wax. Currently, my legs are still hairless 5 months after my last leg wax. I also get other parts of my body waxed, hopefully those areas will also become hairless over time. Make sure you shave your hands.
Learning to function with longer nails is a skill that’s takes time to get used to. Even after about 10 years with long acrylic/gel nails I still have trouble keying in things on a small pad.
Some things you may want to get: jewelry, necklaces, tiny rings, earrings?
You may also want to practice dancing in heels for girls’ night. You never know
Botton line – Have fun.
Trust me Cali, I have all of those!!!! Far too many!!!!
And another fun part is that when you aren’t dressed you plan for it. Between jobs this morning I’ve painted 3 nail blanks to decide which colour to use – (none of them, I’m just about to order the exact match to the lipstick!)
The best incentive to keeping the weight off has been to see how well the dresses now fit. Problem solved!
When I first started this N waxed my hands. Never again … Our brow girl says that’s the most painful area (she said as she brought tears to my eyes while waxing my ears for the first time!)
I may have exaggerated the beard length a bit, just a bit. It has to go again tomorrow but I’ll leave it on for band practice tonight, after all there is some ZZ Top to play!
And I am having SO MUCH fun!