Some of you may know that I have been debating my name change. Some would argue I have been absolutely avoiding it. I would say, I am trying to make the best decision for me.
My name is Christie Lee Range.
I have been asking people over the past 6 months or so how they made the decision to change their name. Some responded that they never gave it a second thought. Some wished they had never changed their name. A few questioned my feminist beliefs and the archaic notion that when we get married we now "belong" to someone else. And some acknowledged the sadness (and bittersweet happiness) that accompanied them on the way to the Social Security office. I have really had a hard time with this decision. MJ has been super supportive of my decision but like most husbands, would like his wife to share his name.
I totally get this.
I have been debating over the hyphenation option or just keeping Range but going by Mrs. Smith as needed. I will admit that this is not an easy decision for me. Range is a GREAT last name! I love it! I have had it for 35 years!
Range isn't just a last name but a nickname associated with high school, college and post grad. I am "Little Range" to my brother's friends. I am Rangerdanger, Ranger, Stovetop and Ranger Rick to many others. I am the youngest Range of Tom's children. I am my parent's daughter. Daddy's little girl.
It is easy to spell over the phone at work..."Range. You know, like home on the..." I guess I can say Smith like, "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" but I am afraid I will lose the under 50 crowd with that one.
Replacing Range with Smith initially felt like I would lose all of these roles but I know in reality, that is not true. I will still be Tommy's little sister. I will still be Tom's little girl. And I have no doubt, to a specific Neyer, I will forever remain Rangerdanger. (In fact there was once mention that MJ would be known as Mr. Rangerdanger!)
So, without further ado I now introduce myself as.... Christie Range Smith!
Changing Range to my middle name allowed me to hold onto Range legally without the hyphenation. Although I did like my middle name, "Lee" always reminded me of when I would be in trouble and my mom would yell for me!
"Christie Lee get your butt down here!"
SS office was a nightmare and I cannot change my license for 48 hours but according the the government I am now Mrs. Christie Smith!
3 comments:
You will always be RangerDanger. You will always be Christie Lee and you will always be CLR.
And if you have to spell out SMITH for someone you should just hang up on them.
Congrats on the new name. I totally did the lastname becomes the middle name too - it made me feel like a piece of Simmons was still with me.
I like CRS!
Well, I guess I didn't realize this. I really had no qualms about changing my name from Bieleski to Mygatt because, let's face it, they are both strange sounding names! I like the CRS change. I will always call your Range!
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