DEAR MISS MANNERS: I married my husband last May, however I have yet to change my last name. At first I used our honeymoon and the need for my passport to match my ID as a reason. Then we bought a house and I didn't want to delay our closing due to our documents not matching my name.
Now my husband keeps asking me when I am going to change my name, and I have run out of excuses. This has caused me to do some self-reflection, coming to the conclusion that I am afraid to give up my last name. I am in my early 30s and have established myself firmly in both politics and my career in the metroplex where we live. I don't want to switch my middle name for my maiden name because my sister picked out my middle name.
What is the proper etiquette for marriage in your 30s and changing your last name? Is it OK to keep both last names? Should the last names be hyphenated?
GENTLE READER: What you call yourself is entirely up to you -- not Miss Manners. What etiquette does care about is that you not chastise or lecture others for getting it wrong.
However, tact and sensitivity when presenting your decision to your husband (and sympathy for your children, if they have to juggle multi-hyphenated names) are always appreciated.