Adventures in Name Changing

So in case I left any of you hanging, I did end up deciding to change my name after all. I really, really didn't want to, but ultimately I decided that as much as I didn't want to, I wanted to have the same last name as my children more.

And so I chronicle for you the huge pains involved in taking a name you've had for nearly three decades and changing it all in the name of family.

Day 1: The Day I Decided

I decided to change my name on the morning that we were going to get our marriage license. For those of you who don't know me, I go by my middle name, I always have. My first name is ridiculously long, and so on my driver's license it only has Firstname Lastname.

We head to the city clerk's office where they proceed to give us our marriage license. When we get it, I notice my middle name is nowhere on the license. I ask, can we have it put on there, and the lady says since it's not on my driver's license she can't put it there, unless I have another piece of ID that has it (my passport, which I stupidly decided to leave at home).

Mini freak out. I had visions of being in the social security office and having them tell me I can't keep my middle name because it's not on the marriage certificate. And, uh, I go by my middle name!!!

After conferring with my maid of honor (a lawyer) and some other married folks who endured this trauma, I realize that it will likely not be a big deal when I go to the social security office. I would just have to bring my passport, and also my current social security card has my middle name on it.

Let that be a lesson to you: if you are changing your name, bring ID that has your full name on it, and save yourself the early morning headache.