That's CLIFTON to you!

New name. New-feeling life. It feels like I've broken through some wall into "Married." Kinda like when I was a child, and we'd be driving the hours long drive for our beach vacation. When I'd see the big sign saying, "Welcome to North Carolina!" I thought something should be different - then much later we'd come to the big sign "Welcome to South Carolina!" I felt we were breaking through an invisible barrier of statehoods.

And now I've broken the invisible barrier into "Clifton." It does feel different. I'm saying, "Hi, this is Jennifer Bryant... uh, Clifton." I spent a day changing my name via City Hall, Social Security, DMV, bank and gym - two name changes submitted at work (payroll and actual work/email). What a headache!

Our honeymoon was lovely. Wonderful. Perfect weather & sunshine. More buffets and food than would fit in a month of Weight Watchers points (gained 8 pounds!). We've made it a whole week now! Still glad to be married. So far, so good!

Counting down single days

I get married in less than a week. Yippee! I am excited. Although Chuck & I have been together nearly three years, "Married" is different from "Dating" or "Living Together." Married carries responsibilities - and a new name for me.

It will definitely take some getting used to being a "Clifton." Who? Me? I've been a Bryant longer than I was a Dowdy (my maiden name). For me, it has no attachments to my first husband - other than it's the name of my children. So I'm switching to "Clifton." Chuck has a hilarious time with all kinds of special privileges "because I'm a Clifton!" He says that his dad used to make up rules like "We can pass this slowpoke, because we're Cliftons!" I'm looking forward to all those imaginary perks with my initiation into the Clifton clan next Tuesday. Don't be surprised if you see my little white Honda whizzing along passing everyone (as usual) - my official excuse next week will be "Because I'm a Clifton!"