So for context, I came out to my parents last year and they've been supportive, even though their old-fashioned ways mean they often don't understand the details.

I didn't shave yesterday because I was sick and too tired to do anything for too long out of bed. This morning, I went down to get breakfast and started talking to my parents who where both in the kitchen. In the middle of a completely unrelated topic between me and my mom, my dad interrupted and said he wants me to grow a full beard. He ran his hand over his upper lip and chin to indicate the stubble I still had.

I said that was the opposite of what I wanted, and that I wished my facial hair wouldn't grow back. My mom got what I was saying immediately, which surprised me, and she kinda got pissed at my dad asking why he would say that when I'm already trying to change into a woman.

Now, I wasn't really all that upset, because I know my dad didn't mean anything hurtful and he just had a lapse there where he forgot that I don't have the male interests or goals he would assume me to have. And I don't blame him since I'm still not really passing, and even with my casual fem clothes and bra, the stubble on my face probably stood out more.

I was about to head back to my room, but then he went up to me and said, jokingly, if only I could give all my facial hair to him. I laughed and said yeah, that would be nice. He was being lighthearted about it, but I recognized that this was his way of trying to correct course on what he said after realizing that it was wrong.

Overall, I'm happy that my parents are being supportive despite stumbling sometimes, and this encounter today showed we can have a conversation about these sorts of things without it becoming a huge deal. As a transwoman going through a lot of firsts recently, this kind of peace and calm from the people close to me are what I really need from my support network right now.