What's In A Name?

[dramaqueen_23]

I've been thinking a lot lately about married people and our last names. A significant portion of my friends are married, engaged or headed in that direction. I asked my mother why she chose to take my father's last name when they married. "I didn't really chose it," she replied, "it never occured to me to do anything else

Comments

[dismay_]

My mother was very disappointed in me when she found out I was willing to take a man's last name. This surprised me. I know I was raised as a strong, independent woman, but I don't feel the need to hold onto my last name. Of course I also switched to my middle name in university, then switched back after graduation. Perhaps I'm a little odd.

My husband and I talked about changing our names when we got married. He rather liked the idea of combining our names, but that ended up giving him a rather silly sing-song name. I agreed to change my name to his once my immigration issues were settled. Three and a half years later I still am unable to do this.

I find it interesting that my mother addresses letters to me as Ms. Jane Jones and my husband's mother addresses letters to me as Mrs. Bob Smith - despite my husband suggesting she do otherwise. Both make me smile as it's just a name, and I am all of that. I think I'd be more traumatized if you took away my red hair.

One of my closest friend's decided to take your route and use both her and her husband's last names without the hyphen. It took her a long time to sort out all her paperwork. She's been married for over six years and she still takes the time to write out both names. Her children have her husband's last name.