Thoughts on Names and Change

Whilst ruminating upon my upcoming nuptials, I have come to struggle with the idea of changing my name. While I love the romance of taking my husband's last name, it does bring feelings of uncertainty. A name is just a name, but it is still a representation of identity. You change the name, and you have to wonder if the thing itself has changed. How do I become something new? How much of my old self can I keep? I must learn to balance my identity from my past with the newness of my role of wife. It seems like the paperwork would be the hardest part about changing my name, but an emotional hurdle has to be overcome as well. I can't pretend that this doesn't bother me at all. I am Ann Meredith Amador. And I will always be her in part. She has so much to remember and so much to explain to Ann Amador Thompson. I hope they can get along.