Goodbye, Marie.

It finally came in the mail! My fancy new drivers licence with my fancy new name. When I made the post about my feelings on changing my name I had so many mixed emotions. Once I made my decision to take my middle name of Marie out of my name and use my maiden name in its place I finally felt comfortable. First, I went to the Social Security Administration, then I went to the Secretary of State office to finish the process. At this point my new SS card had not come to me in the mail. (PRO TIP: to anyone out there who is going to be getting married and wants to do any non-traditional name changing, wait until you get your SS card in the mail and have it with you! This will save you the extra trip an extra line waiting…) As you can tell, my first attempt did not go well. I waited in line for almost 2 hours and then was told that I could not take my middle name out and that I would have to go to court if this is what I wanted to do, even though I have friends who did the EXACT same thing I was doing. I was already not super happy about doing this, but then my best option was being challenged. It was an awful feeling. I waited a couple of weeks and for my SS card to come in the mail to try again. This time I brought my husband with me for moral support. This time, because I had my new social security card with me there was NO problem at all. Finally, this process is just about over. I just need to change my credit card stuff and some errant social media accounts I’m currently forgetting about.

Interestingly this is what I wore when I tried to change my name the first time. I’ve been putting off posting it because I wanted to share this story when this whole fiasco was over.

As a way to preserve my former middle name I have decided to leave the initial M as a part of my signature. It might be just a small detail that no one really cares about but it seems to make the transition easier.

So this is it. Goodbye, Marie. No matter what my name may be, Marie, you are a part of me.

Dress: Gap / Belt: Thrifted / Sunglasses: Target / Brooch: Les Puces de Saint-Ouen (Flea market in Paris)