Anniversary Speech by Patri Sánchez Monroe

 

Dear friends, companions, wives, and the Dafni Girls family,

Today is a very special day. We gather to celebrate a decade of transformation, fulfilled dreams, and unforgettable moments in our memory.

Dafni Girls is turning ten, and for this reason, I would like to share with you not only the story of this incredible studio but also my own experience, which is surely similar to that of so many people who have found here their space of freedom and authenticity.

I remember perfectly that Tuesday, January 9, 2015—the first time Patricia visited the studio. I believe that neither Patricia was called Patricia nor the studio was called Dafni Girls. It was simply a boy who had been wearing his mother's clothes for as long as he could remember and had a dream: he wanted to see himself as a bride. It wasn’t just about a white dress or elegant makeup, but about the experience of feeling special, of looking in the mirror and recognizing myself in a way I never had before.

I arrived nervous, full of doubts and fear, but also with great excitement. From the very first minute, I felt the warmth and professionalism of Dafni. What I experienced that day was much more than a transformation session—it was a dream come true. I looked at myself in the mirror, and for the first time, I met Patricia in all her splendor.

A few months later, I fondly remember my first outing with other crossdresser girls like me. It was on April 14. Lili Martín reached out to me because she wanted to meet me in person (we had been following each other on social media). So, we suggested to Dafni an outing and thought that if any other girl wanted to join, she could. The proposal was accepted, and that night became my first, let’s say, official outing.

And I dare say without fear of being wrong that it was also the beginning of the Dafni Girls.

Yes, I can proudly say that I am one of the first Dafni Girls.

Since that day, this studio has been more than just a place for transformation. It has been a refuge, a home, and a meeting point for those who wanted to explore crossdressing with confidence, style, and authenticity.

Ten years later, Dafni Girls has become an icon, an undisputed reference within this community.

Our way of life has long been surrounded by prejudice, but Dafni Girls has proven otherwise—that it is art, expression, and freedom. Here, every person who has arrived with insecurity has left with a smile.

Throughout these ten years, Dafni Girls has accompanied hundreds of people on their journey of self-discovery. Every transformation, every session, and every new Dafni Girl born in the studio is clear evidence of the positive impact of this place.

If there is one memory that deserves a special mention on this anniversary, it is the Pass the Wig parties.

Those of us who have been lucky enough to attend one of them know that they are not just any celebrations. They are the celebration of our identity, our community, and our joy in being who we are.

At every party, trust, security, and mutual support prevail. It is proof that we are not alone, that we are part of something bigger—a community that continues to grow and strengthen.

And, furthermore, these parties showcase the essence of Dafni Girls at its finest: a space of freedom, laughter, and complicity.

There is nothing more fun than the hours before the party at the studio. While one is getting her makeup done, another asks for help zipping up the back of her dress, another asks for stockings because she has a run in hers, one tells a joke, someone else shares stories of past outings… all in an atmosphere of camaraderie rarely seen elsewhere.

Then comes the party: dancing, laughter, and even more closeness.

And then, back to the studio—to remove makeup and keep laughing like crazy, already looking forward to the next one.

Today, after ten years of success and hundreds of stories and anecdotes, we know that this is just the beginning. Dafni Girls will continue to be a place where every person can embrace their feminine identity without fear and with pride.

Thank you, Dafni, for making that dream of seeing myself as a bride come true.
Thank you to the girls who gathered on that April 14.
Thank you to the team that has made this studio a national and international reference.

And a special thanks to the friends, family, and wives who have supported so many Dafni Girls on this journey. Your understanding and support are essential. Thank you for being there, for listening, for encouraging us to take the step when we have doubts, and for showing that true love knows no labels. Thanks to you, this journey has been easier.

One last thing: I am 53 years old, I hope to live at least until 100, so I hope to celebrate many more decades as a Dafni Girl, seeing how our community grows and thrives without fear, with the respect we deserve.

THANK YOU!