E

So, my name is now Kelli Ertel.

Yes, it's been a few months since I got the initial paperwork to make Kelli Ertel my legal name.  But now, it's not just that way on a marriage certificate.  It's that way on my email, my identification, my work stuff, my credit cards.  I've been slowly making my way through the headache of a name change, and I feel like I've made enough progress to say, yes, I'm Kelli Ertel.  

Truthfully, it has taken a little getting used to "Ertel" on the backend, rather than Walsh.  Some of that is because I'm forgetting where I've changed my name and where I haven't.  For example, Emma's records are all in order for her to officially be Emma Ertel.  But there are other places where I haven't even realized yet that I need to change my name.  So I'm caught saying both names in most situations, totally confusing whomever I'm talking with.  Some of the getting used to comes from the fact that "Ertel" can be a bit difficult to understand over the phone in the South - it's just not a name they are used to here.  After 27 years of Kelli Walsh, Kelli Ertel also feels a bit like a foreign language. Who's that talking?, I've thought when I've said it.

On piece of my new last name that I'm quickly adapting to, though, is having "E" as a monogram. I really like monograms, but I've typically stuck with "K" or "J" and really haven't taken it that far when using monograms.  Now, though, we can use "E" to our heart's desire.  For our last name and because it is a great looking monogram.  And so that's what we've done.  There is a collection of E's growing around our house.  It's popping up in a variety of corners, adding the perfect accent to walls, tables, arrangements and doorsteps.  E, E and more E....you'll see more of me!