What’s In A Name?

Everything!

I am leaving behind my last name and taking on my husband’s name. This is very bitter-sweet for me! I have waited my whole life to find this amazing man that God would bring me…and for me to take his name. To represent him. To be identified with him. But, I never realized what I was leaving behind. Farquhar. The name my parents gave me! I was identified with them! It’s my family. It's how I was raised. It’s the name that every one of my brothers, their wives, and all their kids will have…but I leave it behind. All growing up, I’ve been a daddy’s girl. This makes it even harder. There is part of me that is sad to no longer have his same name because its what I have of him. However, if that is ALL I have of my dad, then I am lying to myself…I have his faith, his hands, his eyes, his love for theology and so much more. I also leave the name my mother took when she married my dad. It’s the only way I have known her. To leave her name doesn’t make me lose her either…I have her faith, her compassion, her love for others, her gift of singing and so much more. She is an example to me. She left her last name of Hogan to become a Farquhar. However, the blessings I see in the Hogan generations are what I see in the Farquhar family too. So, even though I leave my last name, I will not leave my faith! People who know our family will see that Petrashek has a strong foundation from Farquhar and Hogan! My family has laid a phenomenal ground for Ken and I to continue to build on.

Petrashek. Ken has made a tremendous name here for himself where we live. A name that I am proud to be associated with. He has an incredible reputation. His character is upstanding and he loves the Lord. He takes a stand for what he believes and I completely respect him and am encouraged by him. I am excited to make a name for OUR family and carry on what Ken has started. I pray that I represent him well. I pray that we actively and purposefully make decisions that will give our future generations something to be proud of. The Petrashek name…A name that is, first and foremost, honorable to the Lord. That it will remain respected in the community. That it will be a name our future daughter will be sad to let go…and our future son will be proud to carry on. I pray that our future generations can look back and see what God has done in our family. I pray they will see a family of men and women who seek the Lord and share his Good News!

So…some may say, “a name is just a name.” But I say it’s everything! It’s how people know you. Not just to distinguish you from someone else, but it also has a character and a reputation attached. What character and reputation do I want attached to my name? One of honor, one of respect, one of pride, but mostly one who absolutely loves the Lord!