My Last Name

In five days I will change my last name. With all the wedding details and planning and honeymoon excitement, it's something I really haven't given much thought too. I know that I'm not really a hyphenated kind of girl, so I will definitely go the route of officially being Lindsey McDowell. And just typing my new name gives me excited, girly butterflies in my stomach :) I think it's beautiful. I think there's nothing more symbolic then taking his last name. Becoming one family, a new family, our own family. I will be his, he will be my leader and protector and provider. I cherish that.

With all that, it's not to say there aren't mixed emotions involved… I am, and find a great since of pride and strength in being, a Dunagan woman. It was instilled early on to know my roots. My father and grandfathers were always telling me stories from the past of my ancestors and the things they stood for and the places they came from. And they are stories of strong, passionate and loving men and women. I've never accomplished anything in my life without feeling an overwhelming sense of connection to my family past and present. Knowing that I'm a part of something bigger because I'm really just a continuation of things begun generations and generations ago.

And yes there are different last names all throughout my family, and it's family that is just as true and strong. But there is something I love about the Dunagan name. I love being identified as the daughter of Brad and Mary Dunagan. And it's such a sense of belonging and pride when people hear my last name and say, "Are you George and Ida Lou's granddaughter?" And knowing that my mother and grandmother took the same journey I am about to, they joined a legacy and took a new last name. But what a name to take! My father and grandfather are men above men. And I am who I am because of them.

But I also know that my parents have been praying for Steven since the day I was born. Praying for this time when I will take a new name and leave my father's. Praying for the man that will love and cherish me for the rest of my life. Which is a remarkable task since my own father loves me more than is humanly possible and dedicated his life to providing for and loving his family.


This all reminds me though of my sister's wedding 5 years ago. I remember feeling a bit of loss knowing that I would no longer have the same last name as my sister. It just didn't really feel right. But I didn't get it at the time! The things we as a family gained were incredible! Her husband is another rock in my life and their child is a joy and blessing that I could have never imagined! So there is definitely too much to be gained to feel any kind of loss. It's like my father had said this past weekend. He said he wouldn't be able to be so excited and joyful about my wedding day if he didn't know this was right. The Lord led me to a man that my father feels peace about giving me away too. And that means all the world to me.

So for this week, even among all the little details left to take care of, I will take time to reflect nostalgically on my life up till now. I will look at old pictures of a perfect childhood, laugh at old memories, and probably cry remembering countless moments spent with my grandfathers and my grandmother who aren't here to see me walk down the aisle and who Steven never got the honor of meeting.

I will also take the time to praise and thank God for,
Bob and Donna Grant, my maternal grandparents who were married for over 50 years,


George and Ida Lou Dunagan, my paternal grandparents who were married for over 60 years,


and Brad and Mary Dunagan, my parents, who will celebrate 31 years of marriage this year.

It is their commitment to each other that has given me the foundation to enter a marriage meant for life. It is their example of unconditional love, hard work, and faithful and prayerful commitments that will be a blessing and guidance for Steven and I.

So I sign off as Lindsey Dunagan and next time I post I will be Mrs. Lindsey McDowell and will begin my journey figuring out what exactly will be The McDowell Way :)