I’ve been thinking a lot lately on name changing and marriage. When I changed my name several years ago, a huge part of me was devastated. I had never wanted to change my name and did it anyway, to please someone else. After the marriage dissolved, the first thing I did was run to the Social Security office and get my name back. It felt like I’d gotten myself back. It was such a relief.
Now that I have the opportunity to take a new name again, I feel differently. On the one hand, I feel strongly about my name. On the other hand, I’m very proud of the person I’m marrying, and I’d like to share his name.
So. Incredibly timely are two articles. Joann M. Weiner talks about Her Husband’s Last Name over at Politics Daily. And Meg of A Practical Wedding reminds us that we don’t have to make a decision about a name right away.