I have been married for five years to Joanne.  She is my second wife and I love her dearly.  After my first marriage of twenty years broke up, I didn't think I would marry again.  I didn't know if I would fall in love, but I knew that I would always have women as friends.  Whether it is relevant to the subject or not, I have always had friendships with women that were more intimate and trusting than most men.
          Almost two years after my separation from my first wife, a friend said to me that he admired my character through some pretty tough times.  He knew that the separation and divorce proceedings had been difficult.  He also knew that two years into a new job had been filled with challenge and change.  My friend said that he had read an article that said that a person's character could best be judged under stress.  His assessment was that I managed the stress effectively, remaining positive and not wearing my heart on my sleeve.
          My friend said that he and his wife were discussing the character article and he said that he thought of me.  His wife said that she worked with a woman who displayed the same kind of character under stress.  They thought that we might like to meet one another.  He suggested that we get together informally.  I told him that, if Joanne felt anything like I did, she would find that uncomfortable.  I suggested that his wife ask Joanne if I could phone her some time.
          Ten days after our discussion, my friend's wife called one evening to say that she had given my phone number to Joanne.  In less than half an hour, Joanne called me and introduced herself.  We talked for twenty minutes and I had to get off the line to finish the dinner I was preparing for my son.  I asked if I could call her back.  I did.  We talked for another hour.  I called her several times over the next two weeks.  Sixteen days after her call we had lunch.  Two day after that we went to a football game.  The night after the game we went to a movie and we have been together or talked every day since then. 
          Eleven months after we met, I asked Joanne to marry me.  I never told her about my crossdressing.  Although I had read that sharing this should be done before marriage, I don't think I really ever considered telling her.  I couldn't imagine how I would do it and I didn't think it was necessary.  My thoughts on this matter may correspond with my lack of understanding of marriage.  I never ruled out having secrets.  I never accepted the role of secrets in the disintegration of my first marriage.
          Joanne is a beautiful woman who can light up a room with her smile.  She has a beautiful figure although she has never believe that small women were anything more that "cute."  We talked about her wardrobe and I would suggest clothes that I thought she would look good in.  She helped me to understand how difficult it was for small women to find clothes and shoes that looked good and fit properly. 
          Joanne was gratified by my interest in her apparel.  I would tell her about things I had seen and we would go shopping together.  One of the first things I bought her was a pair of medium heels to match an evening dress she was going to wear to a banquet.  She had told me that she had some difficulty finding matching shoes that fit.  One day, browsing in a shoe store, I found the size 5, silver and white heels.
          While we were at the banquet, I was away from the table visiting with some friends for a moment.  When I returned, one of the women said that Joanne had told her about my finding the shoes for her.  I was embarrassed, but the woman went on to say how nice and thoughtful she thought that it had been for me to think of her.  My embarrassment came from the knowledge that, although the gift was thoughtful, shopping for women's shoes was something I did all the time.
           Joanne's enthusiasm about my interest in her clothing reinforced my enjoyment in shopping.  Over the next several months, I bought her more shoes, jeans, dresses, hose and jewelry.  I loved the shopping and the gift giving. 
          One evening in bed, Joanne told me that she had never really worn high heels that much but since I liked them on her she would work on getting more comfortable.  I tried to assure her that I loved her and thought she looked beautiful in anything she wore.  She laughed and said that if I had to walk in high heels, I wouldn't think they were so special.  I almost burst out with, "I wear them all the time and I think they're great," but I didn't.
          A couple of month's later, Joanne and I were watching TV in the basement family room, sitting on the sofa where we had made love several times.  We were alone and starting out on an intimate evening together.  I went upstairs to use the bathroom and decided that this was the night.  I quickly pulled out some tan dance tights, white briefs and a white bra, a cream sweater dress, a wide stretch belt and orange pastel high heels.  I summoned up all my courage and walked down the stairs to the family room.
          When Joanne heard me coming, she turned in amazement and almost a sort of wonder.  She smiled and said something like, "Aren't you pretty."  With those words she released the tension of a lifetime.  I walked over, sat down next to her and said, "So you think I can't walk in high heels, huh?"
Falecia's Story
Chapter One
Click on the Maid to get to the next installment - Chapter Two!