what is in a name.....

ok, so...i have read the nytimes article about fewer brides keeping their own names with sadness.......the notion that devotion in marriage begins with taking the spouse's name...when did this happen....that folks simply decided that keeping one's name, or hyphenating.....or going for door #3 was less of an option than just taking the spouse's name...for better or worse.....i will admit to submitting a comment to the nytimes regarding this dismal reality.....the people i admire most in this life had the courage to keep the name their parents gave them......rather than pretend to be somebody else for the rest of their years......and i want to note that i am so very proud of my offspring for being such good sports about the hyphen......our aim was to empower you, not to embarrass or befuddle you......