OK I swear I am gonna add a little context to this image...

Of course there is a perfectly viable backstory that I insist... I INSIST, you stick around for.

So my good lady and I were invited to a close family friend's 21st birthday party recently and as I reached the bottom of the invitation, I read the dreaded words that cause a shiver down the spine for many of us...

'Please come in fancy dress'

Ugghhh... I should explain something about me that some of you may relate to. My circle see me as an extrovert, in some ways that is warranted, the weird thing though is that some days I feel that way. and others I am riddled with self-doubt, anxiety and self confidence lulls. I'm sure that is not just a trait that I have, we humans are indeed an odd species, right?

The idea of dressing up in some bizarre getup and entering a room full of people was not a prospect I was relishing, I gotta tell you. In all honesty, I must admit, I did consider making an excuse regarding why I couldn't attend but that felt a little unscrupulous as the family friends I mention are more like family and I wanted to be there to share the day and help them celebrate.

My good lady came up with an idea a short time later that filled me with even more dread...

We should go as an old couple!

I recently turned 50 and felt like that was the last image I wanted to adopt, it felt a little like,

'let's practice for the near future, old timer!!!'

Thankfully, I soon realised, she did not have in mind something that was going to cause me that level of inner turmoil and self conscious blushes... Oh No! She had something up her sleeve that was going to ramp those feelings up 10X thanks to her sadistic mind monsters. I could tell by the mischievous glint in her eyes that I was NOT going to like it one bit...

'I can be the old man and you can be the old lady' she continued with far too much relish.

NO No No I exclaimed!

2 days later she had bought me my first ever skirt and called me upstairs to try on one of her bras!!!

Now some men of my generation, who have minds set a little in the past I am sure would offer me the advice, put your foot down and be a man...

(Did I mention that I was wearing a skirt at this point?)

No, when my lady has set her mind on something I have learned it is far better to swim with the tide rather than against it, besides, by this point she had sourced us both walking aids and wigs, it became clear that I was in and in deep...

Come to think of it though, I have made some stunning changes in my life over the last year or so that have made me feel less like uhm...

Maybe it would be fun, I thought, with far less conviction than I really felt, but...

I decided to embrace the experience as best as I was able and secretly was curious about whether I could pass as a 'well to do' oldish lady. The problem of course is that as such a masculine, young, handsome specimen, such as myself, the challenge of becoming a British Mrs Doubtfire would require a Hollywood level makeover, as you see, the results were incredibly 'interesting'.

Well, as far as a fun night with friends, this one was amazing, when we walked in, our friends laughed so, so much, laughter is always a huge bonus.

No matter how many times people saw and re-saw us the reaction was akin to the first time all over again.

One of the bartenders asked to touch my... Well, let's just say a point protruding from my chest region, that was a first!!!

I'm glad we both switched off our inhibitions and embarrassment for the evening as it brought so much fun to us as a group. I might add that we are a collective group who have suffered some appalling experiences over recent times.

My old man

In sickness and in health, right?

You may be thinking, I had more fun than I would care to admit!!!

All in all, despite my initial trepidation, I had a pretty good night and a lot of fun. Sometimes when we step out of our comfort zone we can enjoy experiences that we ought not to, ordinarily.

My lady made a pretty convincing old man too, I thought. She was even offered assistance on getting up from the table from a guy who was incredibly shocked when she spoke back to him.

I hope my slightly embarrassing, 'Norman/Norma Bates style' makeover brought a smile to you too, if it did, my weekend will be all the better for it.

To those who celebrate it, may I take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very happy Easter but of course, even if you don't, me and mine wish nothing but the very best for you and yours either way.

Thank YOU for taking the time to read my post and if you're one of those amazing people who like to hit the comments section... Then I doubly thank YOU!

Either way I want you to know that you are appreciated!

Keep taking the time to connect with each-other both here and in the 'so-called' real world and try and look after each-other, because as you already know...

I am an incredibly proud member of #TeamUK I love the global community immensely, but it is nice to have a home-team banner to add to my posts. The banner was made by the inimitable RoastMaster General himself @c0ff33a If you are an active UK member and would like to be added to the teamUK community on Discord, just let me know 😎