So, the “secret” is out. My husband goes by multiple names. He needs lots of names to capture his awesome-ness.
The complete story is as follows: He has never loved his name of “Robert”, “Bob”, or his childhood nickname: “Bobby”. While he was on his mission, he was “Elder Bush”, “Bush”, or “Bushito”. When companions would find out his first name, they would say “That does not fit you!”
When he started college, he had a clean break from all who knew him (excepting family), and started going by his middle name, “Joel”. Classmates and workmates called him “Joel”. We still lived in the same ward as his parents, so he continued to be called “Bob” by family and ward members. Before caller id, it was easy to know who was calling just by who they asked to speak with. One neighbor never figured out any of these names and insisted on calling him “Don”, but that is neither here nor there…
When we moved to Virginia, we moved away from all family, and the world began to call him Joel. Pretty much the only people who continue to call my husband Bob are his family (and he is fine with that!).
Just how have I adapted to all this, you might ask? It is simple enough. When I am around family, he is Bob. When I am around those who work with him or at church, he is Joel. At home, he is Dad. In private? No, let’s not go there…
I love my husband, and all his many roles and names! He is awesome!
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P.S. We do love the name “Robert” as evidenced by our firstborn son’s name, Robert Jonas (and he goes by his middle name…).
7 comments:
I love him too, but he will always be Bob to me...sorry, I hope he is ok with that :)
I have some of those issues too though. In many instances Mike is called John and I'm finally getting used to it, though I don't think I could ever call him that myself. Sometimes just for fun we call the kids by their middle names and they think that is fun. Ok, sorry for the long comment.
I would consider calling you by your "new" name, but we already have an uncle Joel. You're are Bob and he is Joel. If you decide to consider a 3rd name, I will be willing to try it out.
I'm so glad you addressed this :)
I've been confused for 6 months.
~Brandi
You're so funny! "In private? Let's not go there". Hahaha. I'm sorry the secret got out. I know I slipped a few times at church. It's hard and I don't know how you do it!
I was very confused and wondered if I had missed something since I've only known him as Joel, then I started seeing "Bob" floating around. Thanks for the clarification!
I never even noticed anything with "Bob" on it. I didn't know that Joel was his middle name. But Joel it will always be to me. I think Joel fit's his funny, crazy side. Bob sounds too serious. And we all know who makes most of the funnies in Choir...Bob...I mean, Robert,...tenors...er...whatever.:)
Come to think of it, I think I have heard him called Robert, or seen it on the ward list...hummmm, go figure.
Whatever you go by Joel, Dresden is right, you're just plain awesome!
I must say, Dresdan, that you are pretty awesome too, even though you only have one name (that we know of).
Now I am curious- what is his "in private" name? Or is it just that- too private?
You guys are great.
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