Name Drawing

17 years ago today I gave away my childhood name. It was a name that was respected. Know how I know? Because when I gave it up to get married, I lost the immediate recognition of being known by my parents reputation. It's not that I was gaining a bad family name but by taking his name, I took his reputation. Friends were surprised when we eloped. They said we were an unlikely match. Turns out they were right.

Instead of "You're Don & Kay's daughter? They were my Sunday School teachers"... -or- "They let me let me stay with them for a few weeks when I didn't have anywhere to go"... -or- "They gave me money for groceries"... it became "You would not believe the crazy stuff your husband did at that party..." Of course, I also had my own reputation to live down. I'd made my own wrong choices. It's surprising how little it actually takes to change someone's opinion of you.

I kept his name after the divorce because I had two children. Just like every single, working mom, I was struggling to get by financially, emotionally. Trying to build a new life, a new name for myself. My credit was wrecked and my old life seemed to follow me. Afterall, a tree is known by it's fruit, right?!

When I met Steve, his parents reputation preceded him. I'd heard about them through my childhood because we had mutual friends. Oddly, in all those years, we never actually met one another. His parents were leaders in their church, kind and giving... known for taking in teens that need help, etc. Steve had never married, worked two jobs to pay off his college debts, bought some property, lived at home and helped his parents raise their 6th and unexpected child. Friends had always said that I'd love that Hood boy. Turns out they were right. After we were married I had the honor of carrying a name that by association alone enstilled trust. My credit was repaired simply by marriage. In no time at all it was as if all those years were wiped off the slate.

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet. Ahh... young Juliet. A name carrys so much! These days when Steve and I are teaching the jr. high class, I can tell them from my heart what it meant not just to have Steve's name but how huge it was when Christ gave me His name.

Names of God Song (will open in a new window)

And if names aren't important to you, you must not be in the name-drawing =). Wasn't that wretchedly coy of me?! Our random number generator has selected number 17, which is Tea & Margaritas in My Garden! Miss Tea, please email me with your mailing address and I'll ship out your copy of Vintage Valentine. If any of the rest of you would still like a copy, it's available for purchase here. Wanna read about the names of God? Go here.