Congratulations! Sounds to me from your original post that you already know what you want to do. Personally, I wouldn't change my name, for two reasons:
1. The original purpose behind wives talking their husbands' names was to dissolve their identities & create new identities that define them only in relation to their husbands. (Because she went from being her Father's property to being her husband's property.) (Kind of like how they used to say, "I now pronounce you man and wife" instead of "husband and wife". "Man" is an individual identity that is not defined by another person. The identity of "wife," however, defines a woman entirely on the basis of her relationship to her husband.) Now people will say it's about commitment - but yet the husbands still don't have to change their identities to show their commitment. Anyway, I don't like the idea that my identity up until now should be dissolved & replaced entirely by being defined in relation to my husband.
2. I've seen it cause a lot of problems paperwork-wise.
Thank you, keepon and "_"!
Interesting history there...and yes, I pretty much have made up my mind. I know he'd like it if I were to take his name but he's not pushing it; it's not a make-or-break deal. And holy shit, the nightmare of the paperwork! And changing how I sign my name?
since we started dating ... my gf has been thinking about a new last name ... like combining letters and shit ... no cussing way ... so, we aren't married ...
Hilarious! We were making fun last night - combining various syllables of our names.
After nearly 25 years, the signature with my married name still doesn't quite 'flow'!
On the new name bit - I've got friends who did that. Both of them had a lot of 'family baggage' and sort of wanted to break free - start afresh. They both legally changed their respective names to a new one which had meaning to them. I thought that was really nice.
Melina was such a special poster here in our community! Miss her I get teary eyed reading her words! I’m so glad I was able to send her a box of some of my home made products..
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Interesting history there...and yes, I pretty much have made up my mind. I know he'd like it if I were to take his name but he's not pushing it; it's not a make-or-break deal. And holy shit, the nightmare of the paperwork! And changing how I sign my name?
Can't be arsed...WON'T be arsed!
No cussing way indeed!
After nearly 25 years, the signature with my married name still doesn't quite 'flow'!
On the new name bit - I've got friends who did that. Both of them had a lot of 'family baggage' and sort of wanted to break free - start afresh. They both legally changed their respective names to a new one which had meaning to them. I thought that was really nice.
even if I look and act really crazy.