Just make it a habit to check with your elbow. And welcome!
"Steeler-Gal",
When I first started OCing, this is what I did. Just sort of close your "strong-side" arm against your waist, and the inside of your elbow will touch the grip. It reassures you that everything is in it's place without being obvious or appearing like you are "reaching for it"...
Remember, Virginia has a "brandishing" law, and putting your hand on your pistol--even if you don't actually draw or even grasp the grip CAN be considered "brandishing" if the wrong person sees you do it, or some paranoid anti-gun person sees you.
I live in Columbia MD now, and not being able to carry at all (OC or CC) is killing me, after living in NC for 4 years. If you put together a lunch-time "OC Meetup" on the weekend, I'd GLADLY drive down for it. Weekdays would have to be dinner-time meetups for me to be able to attend though.
I was the president of the East Carolina University "Students for Concealed Carry on Campus", and have been VERY active in NC, VA, and MD gun rights for several years. I LOVE to talk with new folks, and I really enjoy hanging out with the great OC people in VA. You've got a GREAT group of folks in NoVa for support and education, and setting up an OC lunch or dinner would be a fantastic way for you to plug into the local OC/CC community. If you need any help setting something like this up,feel free to PM me, and I can give you some pointers on choosing a location in NoVa. (I lived in NoVa for 10+ years, and know the "gun friendly" places pretty well).
Also, I grew up in the Northern Panhandle of WV, and am also a Steelers fan! We need to stick together out here in the land of the Ravens and Redskins... :banana:
Good luck, and welcome to OCDO. We especially welcome female OCers, and strongly encourage more women to carry--OC or CC. It is a powerful statement for women in particular an for OC in general when women OC in public.
Welcome, and Carry On!