I recall graduating from Miriam to Mrs. Hendeles. At first it was a bit awkward. The only ones who called me Mrs. Hendeles were store owners and other non-friends. I was only twenty years old, newly married, and why in the world would friends or even acquaintances refer to me as “Mrs. Hendeles?” How stiff is that? But then gradually as I eased into married life, I began to hear that title more often. And when hearing it, I felt like an impostor. I felt like a fraud. People named Mrs. were supposed to be grownup and mature – like my mom’s friends, like my teachers and other adults. But on the other hand, I felt as if I was graduating into the big girls’ world. I was now a mature adult and I could be proud. So I wore my new name with a mixture of embarrassment, ….and yes, pride. My husband, by contrast, detested being called Mr. Hendeles. … Continue reading
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