Anita and I have been together for 12 years. During that time there has been quite a few discussions regarding our names. Since we can’t legally get married, should we keep our separate names? Should she take my name? Should I take hers? Should we create a unique name to start our new family with?
2 years ago, Anita’s beloved little brother (and my brother in law) Jody died. He was the only (close) family she knew and it hurt her more deeply than anyone can imagine. I realized that now, with Jody gone, the name “Wirawan”, meaning “hero”, the name her father had given her, was at risk of dying too. It was at that time I made my decision and told Anita.
I wanted to change my name. I wanted our children, and our children’s children to carry on the name that meant so much to her. I wanted her to keep her connection to her brother and to know that she still has a family, in me, and in our children.
So I sought out to change it. It took forever, I had to wait weeks while it was posted in the paper, anxious, excited, giddy. Then I went to court, explained to the judge my reason for wanting my new name (My wonderful wife Anita). And the judge approved it!
So now it is official.
My name is Jennifer Wirawan.
