Showcasing Trans Joy Amid a Turbulent World

Readers and supporters of Amelia’s Angels will know we normally have a Trans Round-Up at the end of each month, where we look at other news we’re reading on trans issues we may not have covered in full articles. Our big three-part special meant a lot of time was focused elsewhere, so we have decided not to do a round-up for October. Instead we want to share something special that’s been happening behind the scenes.

This is a story of joy that is our most personal yet. Site co-founders Ami and Dillon spent a year building a connection through a deep friendship that eventually blossomed into romance. Their first weekend together – a moment Dillon calls “returning home” – affirmed the powerful bond forged through distance and trust. This trans couple now opens up about the profound, unapologetic joy and intrinsic understanding that makes their partnership a true, safe haven. They share that in this jointly written piece.

Last Updated (scroll to the bottom of the article to read): February 14, 2026

There’s a difference between knowing someone online and then suddenly they’re real and warm and right in front of you. What surprised you most about that first meeting?

For Ami, who had talked almost daily with Dillon on video chat, the reality was a perfect affirmation of the digital connection. “Oh we knew each other very well online, we talked almost every day on video chat. But yeah, the reality of seeing someone in person can be different. In this case, he was exactly as I expected, and the first hug was everything I’d hoped for and dreamed of.”

Dillon echoed the sentiment, focusing on the sensory depth of their friendship transitioning into love. “As Ami said, we’ve gotten to know each other very well online. We’ve been friends for a year now and over the past 6 months, pretty much every day, we’ve talked face to face on video. We’ve shared so much not just as two people in love, but as the best of friends too. That grew our connection to one another. But that first moment, to hold Ami tight in my arms, to feel the warmth of her against me and her soft breath against my skin – I just knew in that moment we really fit together and that we always had. I knew we were going to be okay. More than okay.”

Was there a moment, a tiny gesture, a look, where it clicked: “Yes. This is real. This is us”?

For Ami, that profound certainty arrived in a simple, shared movement. “I think as we turned to walk towards where I’d parked my car, and he gently took my hand, entwining our fingers, I felt a tangible relief, an internal sigh – I knew at that moment we were going to be ok.”

Dillon found his affirmation in the quiet joy of that shared walk, culminating in their first photograph. “Yeah, that walk back to the car was special. That moment of not many words but just deep and bursting joy. You stopping when we got to the bottom of the station stairs to take our first photo together and reaching out, your fingers running along the side of my head and just seeing those beautiful eyes, your smile and knowing every emotion coming through, was all for me. As I’ve said since, I love being loved by you – it’s not just an emotion, it’s every sensation coming alive.”

Being two trans people in love, there’s often a deep shared understanding. How do your identities bring comfort, closeness, or even fun to the relationship?

Ami attributes this to the quality of their mutual perception. “I think it’s about how we see each other, and I don’t just mean visually. Because we’re both trans, we understand the nuances of our situations, and have a compassion towards the challenges we face.”

Dillon elaborated on the profound relief of having a partner who intrinsically understands the layers of their experience, something he felt was missing in prior relationships. “I very much agree with you Ami. We’re both proudly trans. But being trans comes with so many layers. Something that before – for me – in a relationship with a cis person, was never understood by them. It felt lonely at times not to have someone understand the nuances, or understand the challenges. Ami and I see one another. We see each other clearly and truly. We see beyond what others may see at a glance, we see deeply into one another. We’re able to read each other so well. We talk often about a bond, a connection between one another. It’s like being able to share your soul, and not being afraid to be that bare with someone because you know there’s safety, understanding and love.”

Can you each share a moment where your love made you feel seen in your gender, affirmed not as a project but as a whole, already-enough person?

For Ami, this feeling arrived in a moment of true vulnerability and simple intimacy. “I think it was a moment where I was lying relaxing on the bed, no makeup on, just the raw ‘base’ version of me – and Dillon looked sincerely at me and said ‘You’re beautiful Ami’. I felt loved, seen, adored – completely.”

For Dillon, the affirmation was a reclaiming of his body and comfort that he hadn’t experienced in years. “Ami knows from many conversations we’ve had how I struggle sometimes. Not being a trans man, but because the body doesn’t fit with who I am. It can be hard to show myself with all the lumps and bumps this body has. But with Ami I did something I haven’t done for many years – a decade at least – I was able to be fully unclothed with her, not just for a short while but up close every night as we slept. As she says “I see you, I love you, the past you, the you that you are now and the future you, however that may be”. I can not tell you how affirming it is to have someone love you, really love you, want you and adore you as you and how you want to be seen.”

Everyone misses different things when they’re apart. Beyond touch or presence – what emotional things do you miss about each other?

“I miss her warmth,” Dillon confessed. “That first moment in the morning when hands reach for one another and memories of dreams the night before are once again cemented in “this is real”. It’s not just a physical thing. Again I talk about the connection. That emotional bond up close, it’s like a fire that burns and it’s constant. We’ve been lucky in the fact we have been able to make this work over four hundred miles apart but once you feel someone, all those emotions and love up close, it makes you feel every mile between us. But it makes me even more sure we work and want to make us work. Because she makes us worth it – we make us worth it.”

Ami followed, elaborating on the details that are lost to distance: “As Dillon has mentioned, the warmth and closeness are something I miss so much, but for me, it’s the little moments, the slight touches, little looks, cheeky flirts, that work so much better and have more depth and power in person.”

When you think of “home,” how does your relationship redefine that word?

For Dillon, the answer is unequivocal and centred on Ami’s presence. “Home is Ami. Home is her presence. Home is her heart beating next to me. Home is her warm embrace. Home is seeing her smile up close. Home is everything about her now and her future self. Home is celebrating our story together. Home is her support, her strength and her love. I live in Scotland at the moment. I do love this country. But, for the first time ever when I got back across the border after my recent trip to see Ami, I couldn’t feel the beauty of this country. It did not feel like somewhere other than the place I live and somewhere I did not want to be. Because Ami is who I want to be with and where I want to be.”

Ami agreed, adding her perspective on the feeling of certainty the relationship provides: “Dillon has covered this perfectly; wherever we are together – that is home. When we are chatting on the phone, even reading messages from him – I feel at peace. I feel warm, cosy, SAFE. That doesn’t mean there isn’t passion and heart racing moments – believe me there are plenty – but it means even in the most passionate embrace, we both know we are just right with each other, and the world feels calmer.”

How do you support each other’s growth – both as individuals and as trans people navigating the world?

Dillon provided a framework for their mutual support. “Being there, listening, giving room, understanding who each other is, never diminishing the other’s light, celebrating each other blossoming and growing. Ami and I have both grown so much as people in the time we’ve known each other. Our friendship gave us the chance to really get to know each other, have deep conversations that brought us closer and being there for each other in some up and down moments this past year. We’ve shown each other we show up for each other. Even if we’re going through our own things. Neither of us would tell the other we do not have the time for the other and neither of us would try to say to the other they don’t have the right to feel a certain way. What we do is remind each other of what we see. “I wish you could see you through my eyes” is something I have said to Ami so many times. And she’s said so much similar to me. It’s allowed us to be more comfortable in ourselves and it in turns means we’ve grown as people, supported by the other. We also make sure we provide a safe space, a cocoon against the world. A place where we can shut it all out and ground each other once again. Even if it’s just a word, a look, a moment.”

Ami continued, focusing on their mutual understanding: “Yes! Dillon will never tell me I’m silly for feeling a certain way – dysphoria and fears concerning being trans in this turbulent world are extremely valid, and he recognises that. However he is also there to just hold me (physically or virtually) and allow me space to just feel things and work things through. I feel like I’ve become a better person too, with my understanding of others, and their journeys, identities and struggles. And we can use our own experiences to help guide others, comfort them and support them on their life path.”

Let’s dream a little: what kind of life do you want to build together? Not just goals, but feelings, rhythms, ways of living?

Dillon shared his vision for their future: “A place of love, a life of love. Somewhere we can just be ourselves and grow more together, grow closer still, a life where when we’re older and younger couples see us holding hands they will look to us and say “that’s what we want when we’re older, that kind of love”. I want us also to be hope, to show that trans people absolutely deserve love, we deserve happiness and we can and should have that. With so much against our community at the moment, we want to show hope and light. Two people who didn’t realise they were looking out for one another, found friendship, connection and safety. That in turn turned to not just caring but love – a love that grows and thrives each and every day.”

Ami followed, focusing on the emotional landscape: “We’ve already talked of this from a practical point of view, but also from a view of what we want in our relationship. As we’re both writers, we often talk of scenarios that encapsulate our dreams – snuggled together on the sofa watching a film together, walking hand in hand on the beach, sitting under a tree having a picnic etc. What threads all these dreams together though, is a deep love, a desire to honour and respect each other and a passion and playfulness that will endure throughout the years to come. I love Dillon, and I will continue saying this every day from now until – well, forever.”

Message to the world

To the trans kid, or isolated adult, or anyone who fears love won’t be for them – what do you want them to take from your story?

Dillon shared: “You deserve love. And love will find you. There’s a lot more love out in the world than anything else. Don’t let anyone diminish you. Be you, grow as you and when you find that someone, your person, grow with them. I promise it’s beautiful when you find it with the right person.”

Ami added her perspective on where to focus energy: “It may seem tough nowadays, but there is more love than hate in this world. As for love and companionship: don’t search for it – form meaningful friendships, be there for people, be the person someone would want to be with – and sometimes… love will surprise you from an unexpected place.”

Love like this reminds us that trans joy isn’t a rarity. It thrives where there is safety, compassion, and patience. And sometimes, all it needs to take root is two people brave enough to see each other fully, and walk toward that feeling – step by step, train station to embrace, miles to moments.