Blogtown, PDX

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Homo My Phantom Husband

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Tue, Apr 24 at 2:28 PM

I changed my name at the courthouse a few weeks ago, before my girl and I got hitched in Vancouver. I waited until we got back to the states to start using the new one, though. All week, I’ve been updating the driver’s license, credit cards, insurance, social security cards, the works. I actually expected lots of places would ask why, and I’d get an interesting reaction or two. Nope—no one cares.

I’ve worked my way down to the bottom of the list of places to update my info—my college and my high school alumni groups. I haven’t heard back from the Seattle University alumni office—and I’m kind of doubting they’ll print my suggested “class note” about getting married (it is to another SU grad, though, so maybe…). But I did hear back from my high school!

I wrote:

Hello—
My name recently changed, if you could update the alumni rolls. I was Amy Jenniges, and am now Amy Ruiz.

Thanks!
Amy Ruiz

This just landed in my inbox:

Hi Amy,
Your name has been updated. May we have your husband’s name to enter into the alumnae database as well?

I’d expect that response if I wrote “Hey, I got married! Here’s my new name.” (I mean, I did go to a Catholic high school—they’re probably a little bummed I haven’t had eight kids yet.) But I didn’t mention marriage.

So how do y’all suggest I respond?

Permalink

Comments

frankly -- here is the name of my new WIFE. then again, there might be a point to prove here, somewhere.

Posted by Mike | April 24, 2007 2:50 PM

Amy,
I think their assumption of marriage was based on your statment that "my name recently changed" instead of your saying "I recently changed my name".

As for your response? I would respond by saying:

"my spouse's name is:" and give them her name.

Posted by Dave Lister | April 24, 2007 2:50 PM

So, Dave, passive voice means she's straight, active voice means she's gay?

I actually think you're on to something here with the patriarchal psyche of catholic education.

Posted by Scott Moore | April 24, 2007 2:59 PM

No Scott. I meant passive voice meant she got married, active voice meant she changed her name to dodge bill collectors.

Posted by Dave Lister | April 24, 2007 3:03 PM

It's the perfect opportunity to show a little grace and let them know your wife's name. Let the bumbling moment of silence on their end be one you cherish for years. They won't make that mistake again. :) Good luck.

Posted by Lelo | April 24, 2007 3:55 PM

Just send a note that says, Xena: Warrior Princess.

Congrats!

Posted by Alan Bluehole | April 24, 2007 4:14 PM

My wife's name is xxxxx. Thanks for asking!

BTW, congratulations! Am I correct in assuming you went to Vancouver BC?

Posted by Dickey45 | April 24, 2007 7:12 PM

Sorry, one more post.

I can't wait until this is a standard thing. Makes me not want to get married with this separate but equal crap they want to do. Government should do a civil thing, let the religions do the marriage thing. How hard is that?

Posted by Dickey45 | April 24, 2007 7:14 PM

I suggest you don't respond. What's the point?

Posted by Maurissis Clumaughs | April 24, 2007 10:47 PM

Who is Amy and why do we care about her?

Posted by indy | April 25, 2007 3:59 PM

Comments Closed

In order to combat spam, we are no longer accepting comments on this post (or any post more than 45 days old).