I’m getting married in 5 weeks (!) and I’ve started wondering – should I change my name?
Not my last name, silly. “Wruble” is too much a part of me. Wrubes. A-Dub. Amy Roooo. Ruby Tuesday. Arugula. Wruble-loo. Wruby. Where do the nicknames go if you change your name?
Besides, Google loves “Wruble.” There are only like six of us on the planet, so I’m highly searchable, which is great for a freelance writer and bad if the internet had been around when I was in college.
Nope, the name I was thinking of changing is Carriage Before Marriage.
I started this blog as an outlet for all my funny/frustrating/crazy new-mom moments. That hasn’t changed. Well, maybe I’m not as new at the mom thing, but I’ve doubled down on the funny/frustrating/crazy, so it evens out.
But my POV – the thing I hoped would set me apart from a zillion other mom bloggers – was that I hadn’t yet married my babydaddy.
I’ve had a good time writing about this.
Perhaps you remember…
A Husband By Any Other Name …in which I lament the lack of good titles for one’s non-married life partner
Guess What? I’m Offensive …taking on a well-meaning but deluded blogger who was shocked–shocked!–that someone like me would do this carriage before marriage thing on purpose
Silly Wedding Traditions I Can Avoid By Being A Mom …pooh-poohing such nonsense as separate beds and rice-throwing (choking hazard, duh)
The Real Peril of Putting the Carriage Before Marriage …hint, it involves a moody toddler who gets car sick
5 Surprising Reactions When I Tell People I’m Marrying My Babydaddy …from a prudish grandma to an englightened rabbi
But all that turned out to be just a small part of what I had to say. I wrote very important things about my butt crack and an obscenely large doll house and getting ditched on Facebook and lists.
So now what?
In 5 weeks I will be just another married lady. Our daughter probably won’t even remember a time when her parents were groovy flower children, refusing to conform to society’s rules, man. “Carriage before marriage” will always be our origin story, but will it still be relevant once the rings are on? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Personally, I wouldn’t. I like your blog name and your readers got to know you by that name. True it’s not that difficult to get a new domain name and set up a redirect from the old one, but your name represents how you story started, it’s unique to you. Ultimately it’s your decision, this is just my two cents.
Ana Lynn recently posted..24 Time Management Tips For Busy Moms
Thanks Ana Lynn, I totally appreciate the input. It’s a fun way to keep that part of our backstory alive, I guess.
I would leave it or moderately change it. It is still your story…just maybe Carriage and Marriage or Carriage then Marriage.
Thanks. I am loving all the suggestions!
Tough call. How about “From Carriage to Marriage”? Or “Carriage Then Marriage”?
It’s been great getting all this input for the last 24 hours. I think I’m going to keep the blog name but update my personal info to explain that we’re married now etc.
Hi Amy! I just found your blog through the SITS girls and love your witty writing! To be honest, the name is part of what drew me to your blog…it sparks interest and is so different. It doesn’t sound like your typical “mom blog.” That’s just my 2 cents. Congrats on the upcoming nuptials! 🙂
Sarah @ 702 Park recently posted..Staying At The Open
Thanks Sarah – great to hear. I’m not going to change it!
I love your blog. I am in the same boat. My son is one, my baby daddy and I have been together 7 years before baby came along. We have a house together, I am a SAHM so we share everything, and have already done the sickness and health thing since I have MS and was diagnosed while we were together. I think the name of your blog is still great because that’s the order of things for you. Changing it would make you stand out less.
Thanks Laura, and I love your story (though sorry about the MS). I know exactly what you mean.
First and foremost – congratulations! Personally I wouldn’t change your blog name as that is your brand and part of who you are – it’s your story and your legacy. Rock it, mama!
I love the layout of your blog – by the way – nice and clean… easy to navigate. I think I am having a “blog-crush” – ha ha ha. (Not to sound all weird!)
Tove I’m so flattered! I do work with an awesome designer named Kelsee Ishmael. Looks like I will not be changing the blog name, which makes life much easier.
I say keep the name–it tells your story regardless of your current marital status:)
Jennifer-MommyPhD recently posted..Top 6 Things to Keep in Your Car This Summer
Thanks. That seems to be the consensus, which is a relief.
You still had a carriage before marriage so I’d keep it. Plus, as a blogger, I’d be nervous I’d somehow lose followers with a name change.
Lisq recently posted..Bulgur and Broccoli Patties with a Kick!
I think that’s good advice. Psyched to check out your blog – I’m a veggie!