One of the great things about Fantasia Fair – the best thing in fact – is that you make friends so easily and these people are like old schoolmates that you can always talk to, even after years apart.

Case in point were two gals who really helped me out last year when I was just finding my legs, encouraging me to participate in the Fashion Show and making it so easy and fun. More than being teachers, mentors, guides – I’m not sure what to call it – they had a genuine caring and affection for me – and all the girls. Now, they are just sweet wonderful friends of mine at the Fair. And my life is richer for knowing them, even if I only get to see them for a few days a year.

There was also a young girl who was even shyer than I was last year and had declined to participate in the fashion show, but had mustered the courage to do it this year. Her confidence had grown over the year, and she even managed to meet someone who loves her with full knowledge of her feminine side.

New girls were also around and being quickly embraced into the group. Timid and hesitant as we were last year, I felt happily obliged to comfort and encourage them, to learn their stories and relate whatever experiences of mine that I thought might help them. This cycle of support is what sustains the Fair, and makes it special.

Before I knew it, we were talking and catching up and having a grand old time, and three hours had passed.

We closed the bar, so the whole bunch of us moseyed on over to the town’s late night pizza joint and ordered a pizza and sat and talked some more… movies, personal experiences, teasing, joking… it was great. Lots of laughter and warmth… smiles all around.

We got to bed by 3 am, which was only about 4 hours later than we’d hoped, since we were really tired and wanted to make it an early night. What’s that they say about the best-laid plans?