Back from LHC.

Things to remember that make me so proud and encouraged, and validated!

"and he turned and said to me, 'she's crazy like you' and I said, 'umm, that water's pretty damn cold, I don't know if I'd do that'"  My favorite adorable gay man from the tradesmen.

"They look like they were made for you. They belonged to my cub, my daughter." Mama Vi Johnson

"Those chaps were given to you by Vi Johnson and you don't know whether they are yours to wear to the dinner? Fuck yes they are!" Master Rick

"You asked me to show you what the future of leather looks like. Disregard the gender, and look at this couple for a moment. Look at the love and devotion of these two people, look at the heart. This is what the future of MAsT is going to look like." Mama Vi, talking to Master Taino... about my Master and me!! I sat there in shock! 

 "For years, I had begun to believe that a real slave did not exist, that it was not possible to find a person who would be happy in that position. And then I met you. You showed me that slaves can really exist!" DaddySpanks

 My Master, going up in front of the whole group and telling me that I deserve my boots, that I have earned them, that I am His strength and that He loves and needs me and putting my boots on me... All while I'm bawling my eyes out for the hundredth time. I have really, really. Honestly and truly earned my boots. I am so proud of my leather. It is 100% mine. I don't doubt it now. I had so much doubt about myself and my worth and whether anyone noticed. It's completely gone now.

The moment jumping into the pool. Someone took a video of it, and I'd like to post that on fetlife. It was a complete shock to my skin. I was instantly (but only for the first instant, and only on my skin) covered in freezing ice cold water. I was afraid because I didn't know what to expect, and it hurt, I guess, but it was really just the most amazing feeling, even if it only lasted a second. I jumped in, and then, because of the complete rush of awesomeness and because I wanted everyone to know I was ok, I threw my hands up in the air... and everyone cheered for me.

Realizing that one of the people who saw me naked when they were towelling me off and keeping me warm was Jo Arnone and then finding out who she is, and what she has done for the community, and that she thinks I have nice tits ("this is purely for medical support")  really put me in shock.

3 kisses on the lips from Gypsy. One after I jumped into the outdoor pool in 40 degree weather to raise money for LHC ($200), one when I gave her the $2025 total from the silent auction and blush brush sales ($90), and the last one after she gave me my LHC patch, but before we left to go home.

"Now we can start learning."  Gypsy, referring to us getting back on track with the mentoring program. She wants to read my essays, and I hope, give me advice and encouragement on it.

Mr Wolf instigating me being given chaps.

The moment when I realized that even though I don't like a few people, I still respect and admire them.

My heroes have told me that I am a good girl. They respect me. They see me as family, as one of their own.    It's so amazing and wonderful, but it's so unreal and hard to accept.