Swizzle Stick, Rev. 3

I got married in October 2007. I moved out due to the separation in April 2010. I was officially divorced in July 2011. And today I finally changed my married name back to my maiden name.

Some might question why I waited so long. I was never in a hurry to change it. I guess it just wasn't that big of a deal. I wasn't ready to change it when the divorce was first final. I had it as an option in the paperwork but I didn't really know if I would ever change it back. I suppose it was the final slap in my face about failing at making my marriage work. Maybe I kept it because I felt the punishment was necessary. Maybe I just wasn't emotionally ready to admit defeat. But recently I had the realization that by not restoring my name, I was holding myself back.I began wondering if it would feel more freeing if I did. And as with  most choices I make, once I made up my mind it was all I could think about. Full speed ahead.

When I left the social security office I felt a little bit lighter in step. I felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. It seems silly when I think about a name change having that sort of affect, but it has. And tomorrow I go to DMV to get my drivers license changed over. I've been on my "staycation" all week so it'll be a surprise to everyone when I go back to work on Monday. I'm sure I'll have to field questions with all my existing contacts (those that never knew me when I was my single or that I had ever been married to begin with). It won't bother me though. It's part of the process. And the immediate people I work with will be delighted simply because my maiden name is so much easier to spell (and pronounce). I'm not sure what my friends will think. I haven't told any of them. I'm pretty sure they'll be indifferent to it. I know I would be. It's really not that big of a deal to anyone else but me, and rightfully so.

Here is to the new me. Well, really the old me, but with a different revision level.