Dear Maggie Montclair,
I have been widowed for three years. I loved my husband with all my heart and was as surprised as everyone else when I met and fell in love with another man.
We get along so well and have many interests in common. Both of our families and friends like each other and are supportive of our relationship. He has asked me to marry him, and I would say yes in a heartbeat if it wasn't for his last name. When I say my first name and his last name....it sounds like a cartoon character.
Our friends laugh when they realize what my name would be. Even my children laugh and think it's cute. Only my fifteen year old granddaughter is as embarrassed as I am.
Should I swallow my pride and just laugh with everyone else? I'm afraid that I will come to resent my name and be sorry that I remarried. How do others handle a situation like this?
Cartoon Cathy in California
Dear Cartoon Cathy,
Many women go through life with names that are interesting, to say the least. I would love to hear from my readers that have this dilemma and learn how they handle it.
I am always surprised when parents give their children names that will cause embarrassment or difficulty in school. A name should be appropriate for a lifetime. Cute baby type names are not so appealing at age 70. Made-up names with weird spellings cause problems for everyone concerned. I urge parents to think twice when naming children. M
P.S. Gertie's brother's mother-in-laws neighbor's cousin is named Dorothy. All of her life she has gone by "Dottie." The last name of the man she fell in love with was Duda. That made her name, "Dottie Duda." She enjoys the fun and claims it makes everyone smile when she introduces herself. Also, no one ever forgets her name. So, apparently the best way to handle this situation is with a good sense of humor. Enjoy the fun.
