lizkraft

I’ve always been called by my middle name, so I finally dropped my first name to stop all the confusion about it (and because I hate when someone who doesn’t know me calls me by that name!). It was pretty easy to do, only because I was able to find a website that listed the procedures and documents required in my state (NC). Otherwise, I’d definitely suggest some legal counsel to make sure you know what needs to be done. I did it at the same time as getting married, so I’d only have to change all my records once. It’s been a pain trying to explain the name change to all the bureaucracies out there, but DEFINITELY worth it!

So far so good! We’ve just come back from our honeymoon, so I know I don’t have much credibility on this topic yet. Still kinda wish we’d stuck with the idea of eloping (weddings are such a pain!), but we’re both just happy to be together…

I got mine while visiting Cairns, Australia. I was stationed in Japan at the time, and this was my first experience living outside the U.S. I got a kanji (japanese-script) symbol for “Courage” in the center of my lower back. Not Courage in the sense of “bravery in battle” or anything, but a more quiet Courage…..the kind that keeps you driving forward when life is most difficult-more akin to Hope. I was living on Courage at the time-with everything that was going on in my life—and this tattoo continues to remind me that I possess the courage I need to get through life’s obstacles.