I’ve changed my name. After nearly twelve years together, I decided to adopt my partner’s family name and it feels really, really good. In Western Australia, we are not able to marry or celebrate a ‘civil partnership’ or ‘registered relationship’ so changing my name is a visible sign of our commitment as well as the love and rings we share.
I’m quite surprised actually because I’ve never had any inclination to change my name but I’ve never really liked it either. I have always been called “Louise” even though it is my middle name. It has been awkward and annoying to continually explain that it’s not that I don’t like my first name, I’ve just never been called by it. People insist I tell them what my “real” name is. So, my “real” first name is now Louise and I’ve taken my partner’s family name.
Despite not really liking my original full name, I have been quite possessive and fought to protect it. Some time ago I worked for a company which changed its corporate logo and lettering format so everything appeared in lower case. everything. It became the standard format for all stationery including business cards and name badges. Apart from the fact that I think proper nouns should have a capital letter, it irritated me to think that they could ‘brand’ my name to match theirs. (I now work at a company that uses all capitals – hahaha!!)
2012 has been a tumultuous year. We’ve muddled through a year of grief with the family after the sudden loss of Beth last year. It affects all we do. Six months later, we still have ‘crying’ days which is only natural as we miss her presence every day and it is only really starting to sink in. During the time we’ve spent with the family, they have drawn me in and brought me close which has been beautiful. Beth was always the one to ease me into the circle, to create opportunities for me to be included. When she died, I wondered where I’d be without her and where I’d stand when the very close family drew in even closer. As it turns out, I was right in the middle there with them.
A name for the rest of the journey
So it seemed only fitting that I change my name to reflect who I am and how I feel. Names really do hold so much of our identity. I feel like I can let go of a lot of things now, a lot of stuff from the past that belongs with that me. I won’t forget or banish them, but they’re just not me anymore. This is a new threshold, a new name for the rest of my journey, and I like it.
Even in Beth’s passing she has helped me to feel included in the family and proud to stand with them so I’m glad to make that official. I know Beth would be proud that another has joined her clan and I’m glad I’ve finally taken the plunge (even though the paperwork is a nightmare!!). We saw Dad on the weekend and he’d prepared a sign for ‘The Newest Member’ which was stuck on a six pack of beer. I was so glad to see him although he did say: “Now you’re one of us, you’ll have to drink beer you know“.
Oh dear, if only I’d known… :-)
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