What's in a name?

Before getting married, I had a love-hate relationship with my name.  Growing up I always thought "Lindsey" was lame.  I'm still not sure that I'm really a "Lindsey."  I think it still sounds bizarre when people call me by my first name.  Throughout high school and college, I was always known by my last name or some variation: Marshall, Marsh, Marsh-dawg, and now Marshy.  "Lindsey Marshall" just always rolled off the tongue.


I always joked with Andrew that I would hyphenate my name after we got married because it always got a rise out of him :)  Really, I always knew that I would change my name, but it's not the easiest thing to do.  I waited until the last possible to change my name before school started.  Half still know me as "Ms. Marshall" and half call me "Mrs. Loeffler."  And I have to admit, I really miss the "Marshall."  I went to a bridal shower today and my place setting was "Lindsey Loeffler."  A little part of me cried :(


However, this past week I have never been so proud to be a "Loeffler."  Andrew had been talking about buzzing his hair for quite some time now (do you see where this is going?).  I kept telling him "not until after the wedding."  Then it was "but I know people in this neighborhood.  I'm "Ms. Marshall" and they see you with me, so they know you are with me."  And finally it was "well, we really don't have any weddings left to go to, so it's your head, do what you want.  But if you don't like it, don't come crying to me!"  Much to my surprise (although knowing him for the past 20 years, nothing really surprises me) he came down the stairs one Saturday morning sans hair.  Just a buzz, but still, lacking in the hair department.  It took me some time to get used to.  This past weekend we decided to go back to IL for a little family time and a friend's bridal shower.  Well, while I was at Nicole's bridal shower, I got a picture text of someone with even less hair than when I saw him the night before!  He had completely shaved his head!


And what prompted this new "hair" style? (or should I say "hairless")  Beth started chemotherapy this past week and Andrew wanted to do it for her.  How incredibly courageous and selfless is that?  Something so simple as cutting off all of his hair to support his mom brought tears to my eyes.  I'm one of those people who cries when I get my hair trimmed or colored because I'm not used to it, so I can't even imagine being without my hair.  I so wish that I was brave enough to do it, but I'm just not that strong.  I really really wish I was though.  I am so proud to now be a "Loeffler."  To be a part of a family of incredibly strong, brave, and courageous people (not to say that the Marshalls aren't equally as awesome in their own right.)


Oh and you want to see a picture?  How about this..... when our combined donations reach $2000 a picture will be put on the blog and facebook.  Can we do it?  I sure hope so :)