It's Official

I'm a little late posting this, but last Thursday, I started the process of officially becoming Mrs. L. I started at the social security office, got there about 10 minutes before they opened, and there were already 4 people waiting in line to get in! After spending about 45 minutes there, I got the receipt for my new identity name. I headed on over to the MVA, where thankfully, there were only 2 people in line ahead of me. I paid $30, took an eye test, and failed miserably at signing my new name for the first time, and they handed me a brand-spanking new drivers' license. I made one more stop at the bank, thinking that I'd knock out all of the in-person name changes in one day, but apparently, Ryan had to be there to sign the new signature card for our joint account. Why? I'm not exactly sure since his signature is not changing! Oh well.. I'll drag him there eventually. I spent a good part of the rest of the day on the phone with credit card companies, other banks, and updating reward accounts... Surprisingly, the credit card companies were the easiest to deal with - they didn't even ask for proof that I had gotten married! Kind of scary. All in all, not an awful day, just a little bittersweet. I did almost lose it in the morning when Ryan told me to "have fun" and I said something like, "Fun doing what? Losing my identity?" I know. I know. I didn't have to give up Chick, but I am a firm believer that it is way too confusing for kids when their parents have different last names. And, who knows, someday we might actually have some of those... Kids, I mean. Chick is still part of my name though. It has taken the place of Nicole - definitely a tough decision, but I just couldn't bear to part with it. Ryan did take me out to dinner to celebrate and try to cheer me up... I think I'll keep him... and his last name.