The Bucket List!

By Sherry Greer

Recently, Kandi asked the contributor’s to her blog to talk about our Bucket List items that we would like to accomplish. In the last month or two I have managed to cross a couple of those off my list and even do something that wasn’t on my list to begin with but should have been!

Back in August when it was extremely hot and muggy in Cleveland I had the opportunity to go to the beach! A couple of weeks prior to the day I was at one of mine and Kandi’s favorite thrift/consignment stores and bought the fabulous one piece bathing suit pictured. Earlier in the summer I was on vacation with my family and really worked on my tan in preparation for a possible Sherry day at the beach! I love the suit and feel amazingly comfortable wearing it. Based on my situation that day I had to change in my car which wasn’t ideal because prior to the beach I had to do a runway walk for a possible fashion show that I wanted to be in (I wasn’t picked but plan on helping at it!). I was asked to wear heels, skinny jeans, and a tank top so the designers could get a look at my body shape for their dresses. The woman was wonderful and we had a great conversation (Kandi did the same as she talked about in a past post).

The beach was wonderful and somewhat crowded on a Friday afternoon. I went to the concession stand and purchased a drink and nachos and found a spot that was somewhat shaded. It was amazing to feel that free and comfortable wearing something so vulnerable. I sat for a bit in my most feminine manner possible taking some pictures. I got up and walked at least a quarter mile of shoreline in front of hundreds of people… quite exhilarating! After a while I went to the clubhouse where they served beer, ordered a nice cold and summery ale and sat and peacefully had a wonderful time overlooking the entire beach. After the beach I called up a friend and met her for dinner at a nearby restaurant. It was a great day.

A few days later, I volunteered at the Akron Ohio Pride event by helping with the drag show, those performers are amazing and really put on a great show! I met two wonderful cis women who also were volunteering and we instantly bonded and have become good friends! The one is a personal trainer who teaches at a local gym and the other is her neighbor that also works out at the gym. They both begged me to workout and I had the chance to do so! I bought a sports bra, ¾ leggings, and wore a workout top that I previously had. It was an amazing feeling wearing something so tight and running. The best feeling was feeling my “breasts” bounce up and down while doing so! Ironically, the one woman hates that the most and can’t find bras tight enough to stop that from happening! As I was working out I was in front of the mirror and couldn’t believe how my body appeared feminine, it was such a good feeling! After our workout, the three of us plus another woman in the class got a drink and food at a nearby restaurant. We sat there talking about our houses, kids, and jobs and it really felt amazing being “one of the girls” the entire time.

The last item to be crossed off was going to a wedding! As you might recall the first person I ever contacted was a transwoman named Natalie. I have known her for over five years and through her I met Kandi. She is the one who got married and invited me since we have remained friends ever since and meet up randomly for brunch! The wedding was small, about 80 people, and everything was beautiful and she looked SO happy. I went by myself but saw a few women there that I knew. Dinner was wonderful and we had great conversation at our table. After, I did some dancing and hung out with a person who attended supper club and her girlfriend (the three of us are going out soon). Of course I took pictures throughout the night and received multiple compliments on my dress (Venus.com), hair, and makeup! That was the third day in a row that I was out and I LOVED every moment of it!

I hope all of you have the opportunity to cross a few things off of your bucket lists as well.

Stay beautiful-Sherry