Blue-Footed Musings

Dear Marshall,

Do you ever wonder how we chose your name? Like many parents-to-be, we purchased a book of names and spent a lot of time looking through page after page of choices. One of us would say, “How about this name?” Then the other would say, “Nah, I knew a guy with that name and he was a real jerk.” And so it went for months.

Meanwhile, people pestered us constantly. “Have you picked a name yet?” “What are you going to call the little guy?” “Aw, come on, you must have a few names in mind, huh?” They insisted that we share our short list, so we made a short list. A very short one.

• Nathaniel Jean: We moved into the house on an icy day in February and your aunties were real troopers, carrying box after box downstairs out of the apartment and upstairs into the house. We felt so indebted to them that we considered naming you after them, even though we had already decided against using family names. We did not tell your aunties that we were considering this name, because we didn’t want them to be disappointed if we chose something else, but we told my friends and family.
• Benjamin Michael: Your cousin suggested this name at my baby shower and everyone reacted positively to it, so we had to put it on the list. Later, however, we found out that she actually knew someone by that name, and that tarnished it for us. We didn’t want a “used” name.
• Roman: Your father’s cousin wanted to name his child Roman if it turned out to be a boy. Luckily for the baby, she was a girl. But there must be something about Roman that appeals to the men on that side of your family, because your father took a liking to it as well. I put the name on the short list, even though I hated it. Sometimes you just have to appease your spouse.

Then one day, not long before you were born, the name “Marshall” just popped into my head. I mentioned it to your father and he said, “Maybe.” Maybe was certainly better than no, and so we stuck with the name and discussed everything that it brought to mind. First and foremost was the character on the television show, “How I Met Your Mother.” That Marshall was sweet and kind, had a loving wife, a great group of friends, and a professional career. He could also beat the smack out of anyone who messed with him. He had all of the things we would wish for you, and he made us laugh.

On the day you were born, we still hadn’t made our choice. Looking into your trusting newborn eyes, we knew you were not a Nathaniel or a Benjamin or a Roman. So we tried calling you Marshall, and it felt right.

So that’s the story of how you became a Marshall. Your middle name, and your family’s reaction to the name, is a story for another day.

Love,

Mom