What’s in a name
In two weeks, my husband and I will have been married for two whole years.
The fact alone is somewhat amazing, but more than that, I’ve spent almost two years now trying to get the state of California to fix a stupid typo on our marriage license. You know, the one where my first name is spelled as Kathnyn instead of Kathryn?
I like to think of it as my lifelong handwriting/proofreading reminder.
Despite completing all the steps that the state told us to, despite calling and following up and paying money and wasting hours, the typo lives on. The typo is indestructible. And for years(!) now
And then I had a thought. Because I watch too much tv.
I remembered the episode of Friends where Phoebe changed her name to Princess Consuela Bananahammock (but her friends could call her Valerie) and Mike subsequently changed his name to Crap Bag, and well, I was inspired.
A few weeks ago, I went on the social security website, I printed off forms, filled them out, sent them with a copy of my birth certificate, the typo-filled marriage certificate, my old driver’s license and then I crossed my fingers. And waited. And if we’re being honest, actually totally forgot about it.
Today I got two letters from the social security administration. The first was all my documents back. The second was my new social security card. With my new last name.
I know it’s silly. It’s just a name.
But it feels like it’s even more real now.
This is the rest of my life. And I like the way it sounds.
10 Responses to “What’s in a name”
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Welcome! I'm Katie, a 28 year old, full-time graduate student who just happened to have brain surgery in November of 2007 to give my ginormous brain a little more space. This blog chronicles my daily life, from relentless headaches to being a doctor's wife. Sit down, get comfortable and stay for a while.
I love this.
I told myself for years that it was “a piece of paper” ” just a name”
It’s more.
When it means something, when it’s your heart.
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but…no Banana Hammock?
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Katie Reply:
May 28th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Shhhhhh. I’m not allowed to say Slappy’s last name on the internet!
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I remember getting my new last name nearly 5 years ago. It was a very difficult adjustment for me.
As much as I love my husband, I was very attached to my name. It also seemed like such an anti-feminist thing to do – at least, that’s what the older generation of feminists kept telling me. But, in the end, I wanted his name because I also wanted the same last name as our kid(s). I kept my maiden name as my middle name, which was a great compromise to myself.
Now, 5 years later, I don’t even think about it. I love having one name for our family unit. It’s not just a name. It represents a family.
-Aimee
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Oddly enough, it was that episode of Friends, and Monica’s “Ministry of Names” comment that clued my husband in to the fact that I had totally procrastinated changing my last name. I LOVED getting my new SS card in the mail with my new name.
P.S. The State of California made a mistake on my son’s birth certificate – spelling my husband’s name wrong. They issued an addendum, not a correct certificate, and it drives me CRAZY. I have to go before a judge to have the actual certificate itself changed – FOR THEIR MISTAKE!
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Both my maiden name and married name start with a “K”. I still find myself signing my maiden name and not realizing it…then I just hyphenate it. And pretend that’s what I wanted to do all along.
Maureen K-K
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There really wasn’t any question about changing my name when hubby and I went through our nuptials. My maiden name was alliterative, and can tell you right now that is a TERRIBLE thing to do to a child. “Elisabeth” is actually my middle name (I have been using it professionally for about 12 years now). It hasn’t been nearly the change I feared it would be, however, since I went from one adjective/noun name to another. I also *love* my new initials- when I am feeling lazy I just sign things “MEG”. ;}
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I loved getting my name back. It’s unusual and although a mere two syllables, unpronounceable to most people. In French, it sounds like a squeak of surprise. But it’s my name, no longer my ex-husband’s. I’m me again, even if I have to spell it out every time I tell someone.
Wishing you much happiness with your official new name.
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How are you feeling, Katie? Do you have a list of questions for the upcoming appointment. I am already praying for a positive outcome. I would love for you to see my Neuro but it would mean traveling to the Chicago area (Evanston, IL). Good luck.
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Awww, so sweet. I’ve debated over the name change a lot, due to feminism, but my guy’s last name is COOL, and represents my biggest single known chunk-of-heritage, so… It’s long though. & my name barely fits in signature spots as-is! ;p
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