We’ve celebrated our blog-birthday many ways.
This time, let’s look at something from each year (of the blog) that simply brought me great joy.
Year Seven (2024)
I have really stepped up my presentation, I have grown into my own skin. Now going out in public isn’t even a thought, I just do it. I have found ways to earn income as the gal that I am. The blog is something I am immensely proud of. I beam with pride when someone other than me writes/post something that resonates, something that helps even one lady, something that gives at least one person comfort. And for my own sanity, I have found ways to NOT dress. Found ways to always be comfortable in my own skin and make decisions about my life that make sense, are not driven by selfishness. I did not go to Keystone this past year and that made me happy. Not that I didn’t go, but that I looked at the big picture and did the thing that made sense for our household, our budget, not based on what I alone wanted.
A few of the pictures that made me happy.
Year Six (2023) – Read about our sixth birthday here.
Year Five (2022) – Read about blowing out five candles here.
Year Four (2021) – Read about our four year celebration here.
Year Three (2020)
The above photo fills me with melancholy. One great friend, I have not seen for quite some time. One very sadly passed away. One is now happily married after losing her partner. One is full time. One looks like she was 12 when this was taken, Sherry (oops did I say that out loud), a friend who circumstantially drifted away. And me, the same old song and dance.
Year Two (2019)
(sadly a pandemic casualty), the best thing I have ever done (outside of family)
Year One (2018)
This past year, 2024, someone actually told me at the art museum that they remembered be in the dress just above at right, in 2018. SIX YEARS AGO!
Kandi existed going back to 2014 (I existed going back to the stone age, having watched dirt being created, but the entity known as “Kandi” did not). There have been two iterations of Kandi’s Land. The first was me blathering out into the ether. Then we went big time on April 1, 2021 (while doing so on April Fools Day was completely unintentional, it ends up being kinda fitting).
There is no end in sight, but I am nearsighted, so take that with a grain of salt.
18 Responses
Kandi, it’s a real privilege to be a part of this community which has led me to achieve things that I never thought remotely possible. I can never thank you enough for the support you give us and I hope there will be many more anniversary celebrations in the future.
Congratulations Kandi. You have created a fabulous website that shows the world your beautiful self, and a site that helps so many people.
Because of Kandi’s Land I have many friends and I am supported in my TG life.
You are an inspiration to me and countless others.
I love you.
Jocelyn
Good morning Kandi,
This is a delightful and life affirming retrospective post.
Figuring out life, as you well know, can be challenging, takes time, and can reveal unexpected joys. There is nothing special, or unusual, about me; I am a pretty regular person, and because of that and the perspective that I have on the world, I am confident in saying that ‘Kandi’s Land’ is hugely, yes hugely influential, inspiring, and important. If I find ‘Kandi’s Land’ to be this way, then I know that there are many, many others who do as well.
Your good friends who regularly offer their insights and perspectives are wonderful to read, but I know that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other voices who may be too shy or too hesitant who would offer similar expressions of admiration, thanks, and enjoyment to you. ‘Kandis’ Land’ is a delight and as the force behind it all you are a delight as well. Have a good Monday! Best to you and yours, Marissa in Ohio
Congratulations Kandi on this milestone. I hope there are many more to come.
But my bank account might want to curse you and all the ladies on this blog for fanning the flame on my inner woman. This blog has opened up some rabbit holes that ‘she’ has fallen into. And ‘she’ might not be able to ‘recover’ from OR want to. (LOL)
Cali
P.S. I write this whie sitting in a cowl neck sweater dress.
This community has been the best thing for me over the last seven years. I was starting to go out dressed but felt very timid about being in a public setting. Reading the stories from Kandi and others, both here and elsewhere, gave me the courage to stop worrying and enjoy the time I was showing Tina to the world.
I am proud to be a part of the contributing writers for Kandi’s Land. Even though I do not get out often, I will always put my adventures online to show everyone that it can be done.
Here’s to another seven years of the most wonderful woman (that’s you, Kandi!) and her community of friends.
Congratulations Miss Land 😛 Kudos for all the effort you put and the help you provide to so many in our community. May this be the first seven of many more sevens to come! You rock!
Oh my goodness where has the time gone
7 years, congratulations girl you deserve it all.
We are very close in age and I’ve so much related to you in all of this and even though I don’t read them all,(yes I confess that) lol
Your such an inspiration to so many and you have done so much for the trans community and all the while you give back so much
Love ya my friend and hey come on down to Texas sometime and I will show you around
Rachael
Thanks for letting me share my outings and thoughts on a regular basis. I’m not quite a seven year veteran–I’m thinking it’s been five years–but we’d probably both want a redo of that picture. Of course, we’re both better looking now!
To many more…
How can I ever say enough for the beautiful woman that literally saved my life and my marriage. You are the beacon in the dark, the light house for all who need it and someone whose set the example for us all follow. My time in this amazing place called Kandi’s Land has been a short two years plus. But because of you and all the amazing ladies that I call friend I was again able to be the person I once was 40 years ago. Really this was the birth place of the Trish I am today. Lastly that photo of you and the little girl in the red dresses is with out a doubt the best photo you’ve ever posted. I was almost in tears taking it in. God bless you and all the girls that make up this wonderful blog. Here’s to another 7 years at least.
Trish
Wow. Promise us you won’t get the seven year itch!
You have been an inspiration to us all❤️💋😘
Kandi: Congrats on seven years. I am not sure when I started reading but it must have been close to the beginning. Although, I do not reply as much as I did initially, I do enjoy reading all the different viewpoints displayed.
Donna
I think the ladies on here will all join me in saying Thank You!
Thank you for creating a space where we can mingle with a lot of very nice ladies and be comfortable sharing our lives with each other. It has helped many of us to develop friendships and even occasionally to meet in person.
You’re openness has resulted in a very open atmosphere among us all and we have all benefited as a result.
Thank you sis! And a big hug coming your way.
Fiona xoxo
And one more thing Kandi.
I also wanted to thank you for inviting me to be one of your writers on Kandi-Land. Being valued for your thoughts and comments has proved to be a wonderful experience for me personally. My previous male self would never been able to so openly converse with others about something so very personal as crossdressing. But living as a woman has changed that and I have grown confident in discussing some rather personal subjects with my sisters, both here and elsewhere. And that confidence has helped make my current life as a trans woman so enjoyable. Writing for you has grown my confidence in myself therefore bettering my life. And you are partially responsible for that!
This and all the comments have been a true gift to me! Love you Fi and all the ladies here!
Fiona,
I agree it is very special to be invited to contribute here ( thanks again Kandi ) . Sometimes we forget our own journey , my life is very normal now but I still undertand and appreciate the journey others are on , sharing stories has always helped me in the past I hope my stories now give help and encouragement to others .
Kandi , Happy Birthday to you for giving us Kandi’s Land , I can’t believe it’s almost seven years since I went fulltime as Teresa , how time passes when we’re having fun !!
Kandi, you look so gorgeous in all those photos. It’s been almost exactly 3 years since I first visited and became acquainted with you, thanks to our wonderful sister Amanda for bringing me here. Though I visit off and on and take long breaks offline sometimes, I like to think I’ve been here for those three years and because of this site, I’ve done things that I never would have gained the courage to do otherwise. This has been exactly what I needed to help develop and mature my feminine side which was longing to be set free. It means more to this girl than I’ll ever be able to express.
Love, Lizzie
We are here for you always, whenever you can join us! ❤️