Are you a Mrs?

When Dad2Amara proposed, the Christmas tree lights were bouncing off the engagement ring. And beautiful carols played in the background.

Seriously, it was straight out of a scene of a movie.

I thought back to that day when he asked me to be his wife. And I just knew I would be a "Wagner."

I wanted to honor my soon-to-be husband.

And I vainly I admit I wanted a last name that would be easy to pronounce.

Having a very ethnic first and last name growing up was difficult for me in a very vanilla neighborhood. All of my friends were Molly's and Nicole's and Sara's.

Me? I was a Monina.

There wasn't another "Monina" 500 miles from my Midwest home.

And my maiden name. Well let's say it's not Smith or Thomas.

Yet a certain sadness came over me when I found out I was expecting our daughter, Amara.

I was filled with joy that I was pregnant with our child.

But I was overcome with sadness that Amara would not be carrying my Filipino last name. And because my only sibling is my sister, she too would not have a grandchild carrying that name through the generations.

Our Filipino surname stopped with us.

I recently saw an online discussion over whether or not an engaged woman should take her husband's last name.

And I realized I did not know how to respond.

I am proud to have Dad2Amara's name. But I do wish my family name would live on.

Are you a Mrs? Did you take your husband's last name?