In response to this post by Katie, I am indeed changing my name from my maiden name to my husband’s name. It’s not really a huge sociology experiment for me. Mostly it’s just because I never liked my maiden name. It’s hard to say, no one can ever hear you when you say it and then they act like you’ve just said a word with 15 letters and 2 vowels. “What did you say? Marler? Weird. How on earth do you spell that!??”* Even my Dad uses his first name at restaurants so he doesn’t have to go through the ordeal.
Very early in our relationship, I was having a discussion with my now husband about just this topic.
Me: I used to say the only reason I wanted to get married was so I could change my last name!
Him: Oh! You think you’re going to like Rapp any better?!?! GULP! Um, I mean, um, what I meant was…
Cue him being really nervous and me blushing and both of us knowing that whether or not names got changed, we’d become who we are today.
*This is where people inevitably say, “Oh, I don’t think it’s weird, or hard to say” or whatever, but don’t lie, you’d act just as confused if I had to say it to you on the phone or god forbid, as part of an email address!
While I don’t find Marler difficult or weird, I can understand. My wife has learned over time to do as I have done for years when attempting to tell someone our last name. I always tell and spell, “Hull, H-U-L-L.” Because it helps me not be Hill or Hall yet again.
Oh, and it was really nice to see you show up in my Google reader again after so long. I hope that both B and C Rapp are doing great. I hope the marriage and job both kick unmeasurable ass for years to come.
By: sam on July 9, 2008
at 12:05 am
my maiden name was difficult, you always had to spell, you knew you had to spell it the person hearing it knew it needed spelling so they paid attention.
The married name is an “easy ” name and I swear it is almost ALWAYS spelled incorrectly
By: paula on July 9, 2008
at 8:24 am