My Last Name

Yesterday the Young Women had a lesson on heritage. I loved the lesson.

I especially loved the question that was posed:

"What kind of ancestor will you be?"

When I met Zach/realized I wanted to marry Zach (those two are pretty much synonymous)

I had a very difficult time with the idea of parting with my last name.

Do I hyphen it?

Do I keep it as a middle name?

Do I get rid of it all together? Just the thought of that made me shutter...

You wouldn't believe the heated remarks you can get out of just about anyone when you bring that up. 

Everyone had an opinion on it: my principal, my future father-in-law, my friends, my co workers, my ward members. 

But I just couldn't handle the idea of parting with the last name I was given.

With what it represented to me.

To me, my maiden name represents

This woman:

 

My grandma.

The biggest compliment you can give to me is to either tell me I look like her or that I have a characteristic of hers. My mom is best at doing this.

To me, my Grandma Marty is my last name. She encompasses so much that I desire to be:

Righteous

Steadfast

Strong

Intelligent

Faithful

Tall

A forever brunette

Well-Dressed

Well Respected

I love all of my family. 

My maiden name means a lot to me because it is my family.

It is my history.

And I had a hard time parting with it.

It's the name I share with my brother.

It's the name that followed me for a quarter of a century.

It's the name on my college degree.

It's the name that hung above my very first classroom door.

So I kept it.

It is still there. 

It's legally still my name.

In addition, I got another last name... 

I am every bit as proud of it.

I'm proud of it, mostly because of my husband.
I am so proud to be his wife. 

But also because my husband carries this man's last name, as well. And I could not be more proud.

On Father's Day we spent some time at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Those two treat me like I'm family.

100%

I have always had a thing for grandparents.

They are such great gifts.

I watched Grandpa play with his great-granddaughter and my eyes teared up.

I cannot wait to get to see him hold our baby someday.

I can't wait to pass this heritage on to someone else.

So what kind of ancestor will I be? 

I certainly hope the kind that will make my posterity proud to carry on my name.

I can think of no greater honor to those who have given me theirs...

"I may never make it famous, but I'll never bring it shame. It's my last name."

"My Last Name" by Dierks Bentley