Becoming "We": Why I Changed My Name
May 18, 2005 | By Charmaine Yoest
I have a very distinct memory of hearing a speaker, prior to my marriage, offering advice to married couples and suggesting that they introduce themselves as "we." As in: "Hi, we are the Yoests. Nice to meet you."
Over at the Volokh Conspiracy, Eugene asks married women why they changed their names, if they did.
I changed my name so that together the two of us could become "we." Now, we two have become seven, and the idea of "we" is even more important. Nay, essential.
Charles and Ruth Shaw
My Grandparents
Actually, I can't express it any better than does one of my favorite poems, written by my Grandmother . . .about being "we."
WeI was I and he was he
A ceremony made us 'we.'
When in the sight of God and men
We pledged our troth and kissed our kin
And set our sails ... breathlessly
On the matrimony sea.
My handsome prince
... he held my hand.
My every wish
... was his command
Until one day
... I said, 'I think we
Should see my friends
... more frequently.'
He said, so loud ... it shook the house
That he was man ... and not a mouse
And furthermore ... he said we should
See his friends more ... he said we would.
He said, we would ... most certainly
I said, we won’t ... we both said 'we'.
Strange, when we do ... or don’t agree
One thing is clear ... we both say 'we'
Now that’s the secret ... for love to grow
Through Summer’s sun ... and Winter’s snow
Through diaper rash ... and teething ills
From P. T. A. ... to college bills.
Through three-point circuit ... and inner-city
And Pastor Parish Relations Committee
Through Conference moving time ... again
When you’re not one ... of the bishop’s men.
Through covered dishes ... well, thick and thin
Love like this ... will never end
For when we do ... or don’t agree
We still find joy ... in being 'we'.
Sarah Ruth Baird Shaw and Charles Shaw were married nearly 50 years before his death in 1986, and had seven children together. Baby Boo was her 15th great-grandchild. (My truly amazing grandmother has a website, and more poetry here.)
