When I got married the first time, it was natural and expected that the wife take the husband's surname. However, not long after that it was considered acceptable that the couple take on a hyphenated name in order that the wife retain her identity. (I always wondered about that reasoning.) Then it seemed to be completely kosher that the wife keep her own (maiden) name for business reasons, but be called Mrs. XXX in personal situations.How confusing!
When Lorne asked me to marry him, I said that I wanted to take his last name as my own. He wondered if it was really that important to me. And I said, "Absolutely!" (I think he was pleased.)
Why, you may wonder.
The surname I have now was my late husband's name, but I have never felt that I was a "Smith." His family didn't really accept me wholeheartedly and I've had no contact with any of them since before my husband died. (That's another story for another time.) I really only kept the name because of my two daughters. But now they're all grown up and one is married with two children and is know as "Mrs. Husband'ssurname."
Lorne has a Welsh surname and my maiden name was also Welsh (Jones), so I can hardly wait to take his name as my own. We both want to travel to Wales to experience our heritage, and Lorne wants to take the family Bible to donate it somewhere in the country - maybe St. Fagan's living history museum just outside of Cardiff.
It was 40 years ago that we met and started dating. Today the ring is finally on my finger and we have set a date to get married. And I can hardly wait to be called "Mrs. Evans."
26 comments:
An apt N post. Glad to hear that you welcome to have your surname changed. Mrs. Evans sure sounds perfect :)
I got goose pimples reading this post. How wonderful and exciting to know that you love the man and his name and want it for your own. Mrs. Evens sounds wonderful.
Oh, wow, how wonderful, Mrs Smith-to-be.
Congratulations and a great story! This is a perfect N post! I hope you do get to Wales to fulfill the dream for both of you.
Oh, yes! Congratulations! Mrs. Evans to be! A great post for the day -- any day really! I send my very best wishes to you and hope you do get to have a marvelous trip to Wales! Lovely story! Thanks for sharing!
Sylvia
Mrs Evans has a certain ring to it. It sounds lucky and loving. Good personal choice for the letter.
A wonderful n post!
I too love my married name....
Sherry
This is a great N post. How wonderful to feel this way about the one you love and to share it with us. I always enjoy reading your posts.
I adore the reasons you choose this post to write about today - but you cannot fool me!!! I also see it in your heart (pure happiness!!)
I have always loved visiting your posts and today is very special.
Lee-ann from Australia
I've always wondered what I would do: would I keep my own, would I take his, would I hyphenate his and then mine or mine and then his. Or (it's possible in the Netherlands) will he take mine?
Mrs Evans (-Jones): good name, good N
Congratulations, Leslie! I think you'll be very happy as Mrs. Evans.
It's wonderful you found a sole mate to journey through the rest of your life with. It also helps to like his name if you take it as your own.
Enjoy introducing yourself as Mrs Evans. I too have a Welsh name, short and uncomplicated, not like my partners Scottish name which for some reason people get confused by so we always use mine in restaurants and hotels.
Very liberating - YOU get to decide what you shall be called.
So happy for you--you and Lorne seem to be a perfect match. I think it's great that women now have a choice to keep their own name or to take their husband's. Taking your husband's surname is much more meaningful when you choose to do so!
A charming and lovely post!
When I got married taking your husband's name was a matter of pride, - young girls used to write out their prospective name and get all excited and shivery!!!!
That is a great story and I am so pleased that you are wanting to change your name to that of your husband to be! That is a sure sign that you want to be really connected!
And brilliant to go back to Wales to the source of his name! You will find many others there with the same one! LOL!
Nuts in May
Congratulations, Leslie! In my country, a married woman takes the husband`s name first followed by her maiden name. This is a beautiful post Leslie!
Happy post! Congratulations to you, soon-to-be Mrs Evans.
Leslie, this is one of the sweetest posts ever. Congrats for your new status! :o) The surname matches your first like a glove!
Kisses from Nydia.
I was overjoyed to take my husband's name! I wanted to be part of him, that one flesh concept! :)
Leslie, I love this post. I'm so glad you're happy, you deserve all this.
I agree with Rose, it means so much more these days when you choose to take his name!
a lovely lovely post.... your happiness shines through and you should be proud to take your new husbands name.. I can never understand why many wives dont do this as its part of getting married.
I concur with everyone that the name has a certain ring to it.
We have Evans and Bevans surnames here in the tropics as were once considered a British colony.
Hope your Sunday is going well.
Saludos
What a lovely post Leslie, it's wonderful to read of your happiness.
I hope your family are sharing your happiness too.
When I married DT 22 years ago, the 'girls' were delighted.
I never thought I could find happiness again, then along came DT.
So..... 'N' is for...
'Never Say Never'.
Just back from our holiday in Spain so, it's 'catch up time'.
I've written a little anecdote about the trip, I hope you enjoy it!
Di.xx
Post a Comment