O’Brien – Changing My Name, The Scaries No One Ever Warned Me About

It’s funny looking back I was one of the girls who at a young age would fantasize about getting married, I think we all did, right? I would write my name over and over and over with my crush’s last name even if it was someone such as Zac Efron when I was 12. All over that piece of scratch notebook paper it would reflect “Delaney Efron” over and over and over again. Childish, for sure. But also, extremely funny I thought I had the chance with Zac Efron at the age of 12.

It is now 2022. I get married in 11 months… This time my name will actually be changing. Sometimes I still go back to my 12-year-old ways and I’ll find myself pairing my name with Colin’s last name. Delaney Freistuhler will be reflected on random scraps of paper as I fantasize about my wedding day.

Not long ago, I found myself talking to Colin about how sad it was that I had to get rid of my Dad’s last name. I told him I felt like I was going to be losing a piece of myself. Ya know? I have only used it for the past 20 years. One of my MAIN connections to my father. After a while I kind of begin to feel silly for thinking this way.

Then, about 4 days ago I was scrolling through social media and saw a post by a girl from high school who was having the same thoughts! I realized, I’m not crazy and that it is SAD.

I feel like I am losing a very big piece of my identity and who I have been the past 20 years. I love Colin, but I also love my last name. ( ALSO, PSA. Thanks a lot mom for giving me a nice middle name too because I don’t want get rid of it either.) Regardless, I plan to take Colin’s last name. But I do think to myself how sad it is that I will no longer have my Dad’s last name.

Delaney

Delaney Kimberlin O’Brien

Delaney Kimberlin O’Brien-Freistuhler

Delaney O’Brien Freistuhler

Delaney Kimberlin Freistuhler

THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS.