The past year has been witness to tremendous changes. Seriously - at times, this year has been down right overwhelming. But amid this chaos, I have come to embrace an aspect of my identity that I least expected - my name. This statement may confuse those of you who are familiar with me - after all; my name has been Kate or Katie for as long as you have known me. Well, the jig is up - let me reintroduce myself as Katharine.
My parents determined my name long before I was born; in fact, it was even discussed prior to conception. They felt that Katharine was not only a timeless name, but that it also possessed a certain strength and confidence. Then I was born - smiling (seriously). Katharine seemed too substantial for a baby girl, so they nicknamed me Kate, and it stuck.
Truthfully, I never associated myself with such a traditional name, I found it stuffy and old-fashioned, even boring. Yet, as time marches on and my identity evolves, I've come to see things in drastically different terms. What I've learned is that your name is not what defines you - it's you who defines your name.
With that in mind, I now see the vibrancy of Katharine, and that it's timeless, not old-fashion. But mostly I've come to see it as a strong name with an inherent confidence - traits that I ardently pursue.
Please feel free to carry on calling me Kate - after all, it's just as much a part of me as Katharine will ever be. But as I turn a a new page personally and professionally, it's time to embrace a "new" name that more clearly defines my evolving sense of self.
Happy thoughts always,
Katharine
I finally found you! Or truly, found the note that you had written down and googled.
ReplyDeleteI really like this post, and look forward to reading more of your writing.
Cheers,
Mel