Making it Official

It was easier than it could have been. You and Carrie had never said you were dating in social media. You'd barely had an online presence, anyhow. And even when Carrie did ask, you always had an excuse, a reason for delay. It hadn't been long enough yet. Your dad didn't have those excuses, and he didn't even have social media.

It still required some choreography. You deleted all your "John P." profiles. Then your dad created his new "John Putnam" accounts. No qualifier, no Senior. And then Carrie did her part, updating hers to "Barbie Hall" and announcing she was in a relationship with your dad. And then tons of photos, most that you'd never seen - Carrie and John at restaurants, at dance halls, by the pool, at church, playing golf and tennis, kissing.

Carrie then added Sam and Chad as friends. You didn't want a profile right now. Were you Junior? Joan? You didn't need the extra dysphoria. Your first block of time with your counselors was next week.

You'd have been scared in Carrie's position, telling people you were in a relationship with a much older person. But the response was tremendous - everyone telling Carrie how happy she looked. Congratulating your dad on landing such a fine catch. And your happiness for them now exceeded the angst. You saw you had a text.

Carrie: Good job today, sweetie. I'm very proud of you for being so brave.

You: Thanks mother!