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Mark: I grew up as a female, was basically
bullied by society to be something I was not because if I presented myself in the way I
wanted to be, I was ridiculed and judged.
After the surgery, December 23rd 2003, first
thing I did when I woke up from the anesthesia was feel my flat chest and realized that I
no longer had any female parts, and that was the happiest day of my life. I was like wow,
I'm now complete, I feel whole.
COMM: Marks partner, Jessica, has also struggled
with her identity.
Jessica: At the age of five, I thought I was
a girl and I think that's what was the hardest part - feeling like I was locked in a cage,
I couldn't be who I was until finally knowing years later that I'm now able to be who I
am and feel like I finally broke free from that cage. I'm doing what I feel is right
for me.
COMM: Now the pair have found freedom and
happiness with each other.
Mark: For the first time in my life, I've
lived for someone other than me. I live my life for Jessica, I live to try and make her
happy and to try and take away all the pain that she's gone through in her childhood and...
that's what I do.
COMM: Mark and Jessica from Wilton Manors,
Florida, say their unique circumstances are partly what makes their relationship successful.
Jessica: We know what each other wants, you
know, I know what he wants as a man and he knows what I want as a woman - experiencing
the reverse roles our entire life.
COMM: And the attracted was instant for the
couple, who say it was love at first sight.
Mark: Well, this is where it all happened.
This is where we fell in love.
Jessica: Everything just stopped when we first
kissed. That was the first real kiss we had.
COMM: And after just a few months, Mark proposed.
02:04 Mark: I proposed to Jessica three months into
the relationship. It was like July we started in... May of 2012 and I knew from the start
that this was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Jessica: When Mark proposed and asked me to
marry him, I was ecstatic.
COMM: And with just four months to go before
the big day, the pair are throwing themselves into preparations.
Jessica: It's something I've dreamed of my
entire life - getting married, wearing the dress.
Mark: I know this means a lot to her and to
wear the dress. I've worn the dress in the past and and I've actually never worn a tux,
so it would be my first time doing that, but it's a special, special event in our life
because it means a lot to her and she means a lot to me.
COMM: Having found happiness, Mark and Jessica
and now helping others in the transgender community with their weekly radio show.
Mark: We need to educate the world - that
is why Transition Radio and Transition Radio TV is here. Any other callers out there? If
not, we're going to call it a night. Thank you folks so much for listening yet again.
Jessica: And remember...
Mark: We love you.
Both: But always remember to love yourselves
too, goodnight.
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