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Dear Friends, Thank you for responding. Where I live it is hard to find/make friends. As one acquaintance recently told me, in the northeast, it is "dog eat dog." Grew up hearing my own mother say the same thing. Since moving to upstate New York, I have learned how right my mother was in saying the things she said (I grew up here). Definitely plan on being very honest UP FRONT about this, because I do not want anyone thinking I mislead them. Probably I am not in the place where I belong. Not one to live a lie. Will let you all know how it turns out! Thank you very much for reaching out to me. Yours truly, Monica

Dear Friends, Did not like the proviso Emma's friend put on their "tolerance," which was if Emma was a Trump supporter or, worse, she "came out." I, too, do not like the way Emma's friend emphasized "tolerance" as it implied that the friend was doing it only because it was the "politically correct" thing to do. Your friend, Monica

Dear Friends, Emma, please let me know how Seattle and Portland are from a woman's point of view. Just to remind you all, we change COMPLETELY, physically and emotionally, DECADE by DECADE. So the person that Emma's wife fell in love with ten or more years ago is not the same person today. Also, Emma's partner is not the same person she was ten or more years ago than she is today. Only a lucky few grow in parallel for ten years or more. Our complex society makes it even harder! Your friend, Monica

Dear Emma, Tend to agree with Bree. Feel it is potentially dangerous. It is sad we have to filter our thoughts to control what comes out of our mouths according to a situation. Please remember that as a woman you must take greater care. Your friend, Monica

Excellent point, Bree - thank you. I agree that I'd not be pleased to have someone come on strong about anything, pretty much anytime. And maybe that's the issue, to ask if they'd like to talk about it. If not that would be perfectly okay with me - and it really would be. I'll certainly keep your advice in mind.

In my own personal dilemnas of this sort, I always ask myself "Would I be open and okay with these strangers coming over to me on vacation and bringing up this topic on the opposite side of my viewpoint?" and then usually go with my intenral response to the thought (and it's generally no, I don't want someone coming up to me on hot topics like religion or abortion for example on my vacation time wanting to educate me to their viewpoint). Things like this come up on a lot on the vacations Nikki and I like, large groups of people with varied veiwpoints and commentary, so I know why you want to.

Hiya Emma. I Am Here, My Darling, To Wish You Bon Voyage. It Is a Long Time, since I was on here, but, that Will Not be the case any more. Emma, I Am So Sorry, to hear about Your Divorce Honey. Emma, Your Marriage, is Not the Only One, whose Marriage has died. I Am Now Officially Separated. Also, I have been Fully; Full-Time; MtoF; Transitioning; for just 12 Day's Short of 2 Year's Now. I have Officially; Legally; Changed My Name, to Stephanie, in the Last 4 Month's. Emma, I Know, that You ARE travelling, all round the Country, with Winnie Minnie. Enjoy the Journey's. Emma Take Care Honey, And My Very Best Wishes, Big Hugs, With Lots Of Love, Stephanie. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Emma, I have not logged in for awhile until today and was surprised by your post. I am so sorry that you had to go through this. Yet at the same the love that you and wife showed each other is unparalleled. Just amazing! Be safe and well on your new journey. I am happy for you! <3 Lisa

Emma, I wish you all the happiness you can find on this journey! It's not an easy path, but it's well worth it and it seems like you've really thought through a lot and have a good vision of how to get started. Between that and the courage you've already demonstrated I have no doubt you'll find your authentic self. I also admire how you managed things with your wife. It was no doubt tempting at times just to leave (I say that from experience, having been married so many years ago), but you stayed and took care of what needed to be done. So add persistence to the strengths mentioned above :-) I'm looking forward to hearing about your travels - literal and personal :-) Xoxo Chrissy

Enjoy the grand adventure! I envy you that freedom to go wherever and do whatever! It sounds like a great grand adventure! If you ever make it around Ohio be sure to stop by and have dinner with us! ​ I'm glad that the worst is behind you and you have found peace with the changes in your life, and then excitement about what is to come next! *Hugs* May the road ahead bring you joy, laughter, and adventure! Beautiful photo in which you look ready to tackle the world! And I really really envy you the Minnie! Grandpa had a Minnie Winnie after he sold the pull behind Airstream, we had so much fun in that. : ) Mostly at Assateague Island and Indian Lake, but the where mattered less than the adventure. ​I miss that rv and all the silly fun we had in it.

Emma, I know I'm late to the game on this one - but first, I think your response was perfect, I think it's important to point out that there isn't a "choice" involved (except the "choice" to live authentically!). I also agree that "tolerance" is definitely NOT the goal. Personally, I think mutual acceptance and respect is what's generally called for in life - "acceptance" feels a little off too, but that's why I put the "mutual" in front of it. It's about accepting that people are different from each other in many, many ways, and we should accept that and respect everyone for who and what they are (within reason of course - I'll never accept or respect Trump). I would also consider that you probably have a much more nuanced understanding of what "tolerance" means than your friend - that may well have just been the first word to come to mind, and if they haven't been in a position where they were rejected for some part of their identity they might not fully appreciate the meaning. With friends I've always gone by motivation - as long as I know that they're being supportive, I don't take any incorrect terminology badly from them - though I do correct it! Has anything further happened with this friend since February? xoxo Chrissy