M... Cheung?!!?!?!! Who the hell is that?

Recently, I was very disappointed to learn that my church posted a powerpoint for all to see with my name as M...Cheung. I have been married for over 2 years now and I made the conscious decision not to take my husband's family name. Because of some reason, certain individuals continue to insist that my "new" name is M...Cheung.

I don't have an issue with women deciding to take their husband's family names. I don't have an issue with strangers calling me Mrs. Cheung. I don't even have an issue with formal invitations arriving Mr. and Mrs. P Cheung. But to be absolutely blunt, I am irked when people call me M...Cheung. It's like they are making a point to disrespect my choice.

I have spent my whole life as an Au and am proud of that heritage. I also have built a career as M...Au and fully identify with that name. It is important to me.

I resent it when people try to infer that keeping my maidenname is my feminist-streak or my independent nature or more ridiculous still, when people see it as a "dis" to my husband.

It is ridiculous because it suggests that the women who chose to take on their husbands' names are not feminists or independent. I think it comes down to a choice and what is important to each individual.

Finally, I love and respect my husband and I am proud that he supports me in my choice. And so I honour him by supporting him in his choice to keep his own last name.