New Names for the New Year

If you grew up when I did, you watched ‘The Waltons’.  We thought it would have been nice to be a Walton.  Their family, their music, the way they narrated their story and of course the way they said good night. For those of you who do not realize it, My Loving Spouse is a ‘Walton’, a British Walton, but a ‘Walton’ still the same and I am Ellen Newman.

When we got married, I was a Realtor in Southern California and had spent years attempting to make ‘Ellen Newman’ known, and being ‘known’ when you live on 100% commission is a tad more than important!  It just wasn’t wise to change my name.  ‘Newman’ is also my children’s name, which made me feel awkward about leaving it as well. Four years later, My Loving Spouse and I live in a small town with two different last names and the truth is…I don’t like it.  People don’t understand we’re married, they don’t know how to address our mail and I want the name of My Loving Spouse, not the name of my Ex-Spouse.  I talked to my three…’would they mind if I changed my name?’….

Their answers were so typical of them…

“No, I thought you should have changed it a long time ago…”

“No, I think you should change it, I’m thinking I want to change mine too…”

“Whatever makes you happy, Mom…” ….and then I realized, I will still have the only name that matters to them…’Mom’.

Of course now, we have lived here just long enough to confuse people even more.  Those who were just getting use to Ellen Newman…might wonder where she went.

So, in 2014, I am getting two new names.  Two and I am pretty darn pleased as punch.  As soon as I pay the money and jump through the ‘hoops’, I will be Ellen Walton and I’ll have to think twice when someone asks my name.

My other new name?  Here’s a hint from the old TV show “The Waltons”…Yep…”Good night, Grandma!”