My Kids' Last Name

My ex-husband and I were friends for a long time before we ever started dating. So once we finally got together, we kinda knew pretty quickly where it was eventually headed. He knew me well and knew I never wanted to change my name. Very early on in the relationship I said something about my kids having my last name. He replied, "Funny. I always thought my kids would have my last name."

Well, so, I thought about it... I didn't hate his last name. In fact, I liked his last name. And I liked the idea of all of us having the same last name (me, him, and our kids). Our little family unit. And so I changed my mind. I decided to change my name when we got married.

And unless this is your first time reading my blog, you know that I never had kids, we got divorced, and I changed my name back.

But dang it, that last name will follow me for the rest of my life. Every application, every official form. They all ask for any previous names you've had. So I have to acknowledge my kids' last name until the end of (my) time.

It doesn't hurt like it used to, but it still kinda sucks.