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08 February 2012

WW: A Rose By Any Other Name


As the wedding is approaching and as more technical details are needing to be decided upon, there was a particular detail for which I had been having quite a difficult time.  You see, all my life I complained about my name: no one had my first name and my last name just wasn't "cool" to me.  I would continuously ask my parents if I could change my name to the Italian last name on my mother's side: Petrillo.  I love that that name had cultural significance.

In the years after graduating from high school, I learned to really appreciate my last name: it was the name of my parents, it was the last name to which I was born with, God chose this last name and this family just for me, and I didn't want to get rid of it! 

When I get married and if I take Duncan's last name, I will be one of many.  People would call me Mrs. Smith (or Dr. Smith hopefully one day =P), and aren't there just about a million of them? 

(Can't you already tell which way I've been leaning these past months? Haha... not doing a great job building suspense, eh?)

So, here comes the decision: keep my last name, adopt Duncan's last name, or hyphenate? 

Oh boy.  This has generated quite a few conversations between Duncan and myself.  I didn't want to lose my middle name because I liked it, but I didn't want 1, 2, 3, 4 names!  I know people do it, but I didn't want to.  


As you can see, I am much more of an unique individual by keeping the last name that I was born with.  Just look at those numbers?

Well, I finally came up with a decision I knew would make me happy for the rest of my life - & I did it all on my own, because believe me there were various opinions out there!

What would you do?

10 comments:

  1. I definitely know what you're going through (except the other way around). My last name is Castro and my fiancĂ©’s last name is Gerhardson. Castro-Gerhardson is a little bit of an identity crisis. My last name is common, and his isn't. At the end of the day, you'll have to live with it the rest of your life!

    p.s. I found your blog via After Nine to Five. I just love your blog!

    jessismor.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Jessica! I understand what you mean about a possible identity crisis!

      p.s. great post on packing! new follower =)

      xoxo

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  2. I like both. Do people get your name wrong often? If so then having a unique name can also be a bit tiring (at least that's my experience)

    And such a cool diagram. Pinned it here http://pinterest.com/pin/217861700693897623/

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    1. People get my name wrong, but it's not that big of a deal. The common spelling is different than mine, as well. Thanks! xoxo

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  3. Ok, funny story. A good friend of mine recently got married. Her last name was "Brick" and her now-husbands last name was "Kerman". They decided to change BOTH of their last names by combining each of theirs.... They became the "Brickermans". I thought it was pretty neat. You could be Mrs. Amy Wetsmith!!!!!!!!! :)

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    1. Hahaha, I love that so much! Two worlds combining! I'll suggest that and see where I get..... haha.

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  4. And FYI, if Ryan and I ever get married (here's hoping!), my name will literally be Sam Bird. Samantha Bird. I actually really love it, but it's a pretty funny name, haha.

    AND (one last thing, promise!) I hated my last name growing up too. "Thomas" is a boys name! I always wanted to have a last name that people could call me by (I used to be a tomboy). My best friend's last name was Borski and I always thought it was awesome that ppl called her that. Someone yelling "HEY THOMAS!" isn't awesome.

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    1. I LOVE IT! Samantha Bird. Oh my! That is awesome! Sam Bird. Mrs. Bird. I LOVE IT! I not-so-secretly WANT IT!

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  5. I'm curious to know what you chose. This has always been something I'm curious about for everyone. How they choose and decide.

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  6. Take Dunc's last name. It's easier when you have kids, plus your not losing your identity, but gaining a new one. You're never unique because of your name- you're unique because God made only one of you. Plus your father is giving you away and entrusting you to Duncan for your future, so the name signifies his role as protector of your person and your soul.

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xo, amy