When I got married over seven years ago, I kept my last name. Why, because it s my name. I can t really see taking someone else s name. We re each born, given a name, and frankly, I think we should keep it.

Unless it s hideous, then a change may be in order, but I digress.

I ve noticed that I m much more relaxed at being called by my husband s last name.

During the first, oh I ll say, five years or so, of our marriage, if someone called on the telephone, and asked if I was Mrs. X, I would say no, inform them they had the wrong number, and hang up on them. My theory was if you didn t know my last name, I probably didn t need to speak with you on the telephone.

I was further fueled on by outrageous requests from my automobile and health insurance companies that required proof of a marriage license because our last names were different.

And for a while, a long while, it was a struggle. Adam though I should take his last name, because we were married, because it is easier to spell, because it s not a slave name, and because it would be an indicator that we were together.

I held my ground and eventually, it stopped mattering to him.

That s probably when it stopped mattering to me. In the last few months, I ve been nicer. I listen to what people want on the phone before hanging up on them. Also in social situations, with people I don t know, I do respond kindly when being introduced as Mrs. X, then I correct them gently, later.

I listen to women create all sorts of excuses to keep their names established career or administrative hassle. I say, be proud to keep your name no excuses needed.

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