When I was younger, I thought that a woman taking her husband's last name was just sexist inequality making us seem like possessions. Now, I view it as joining a truly great team. Meeting the paramedic changed my thinking and I found that I was actually excited to take my husband's name. Heck, I changed my Facebook name a week in advance. The shared last name identifies us as Team Us.
But even though I have a new team name, I am equally blessed to remain an alumni player for my "maiden" team. And I am so incredibly thankful that my maiden team coaches are so supportive and excited for my new team as well. How lucky I am.
When we arrived home, my five year old "nephew" asked me why we were wearing rings. I told him that when we got married, we became a team and the matching rings are like our jerseys. It was certainly simpler and made just as much sense as repeating what was said during our ceremony: The rings are a symbol of your marriage. They are symbolic of the fact that you have this day pledged yourselves to marriage, and as the ring is a perfect circle without end, it is the wish and hope of all that your marriage will be as perfect and without end. They will always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect, and a public showing of your commitment to each other.
