What's in a (Last) Name?

In ours? 18 letters and a hyphen, too long to fit on our taxes, too long to fit on a welcome mat, and alas, we've found, too long to use much in everyday life. While we wholeheartedly appreciate everyone who has made such a considerate effort to use it appropriately, we've come to agree with the vocal objectors who told us in the first place that it would be a pain in the butt. Yet. Each using our own family name, which is what we've more or less continued to do in many circumstances, not only results in the awkwardness of having to remember which name you've given where and forwarding mail for twice as many people every time we move (which is obviously often), but has also prevented us from having a smooth way to introduce (and think of) ourselves as a family unit. Sullens-Hellenbrand works, but it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

So, without further ado: we are now officially the Sullenbrands. While we do each feel a little sadness at giving up the whole of our family name (though to be fair, I'm losing 1 letter and Matt is losing 2, so it's not a total evisceration by any means), we've decided that for us, forging this new identity together is something we want to do. It's not a choice that would be right for everybody, but we've decided together that it's what is right for us. And we think that's what building a marriage is all about.