Happier Times ... Mom, Dad, and I ~ Spring 2001
This may be a bit tongue and cheek, but I just had to write about it. First, I’ll provide a little background. My name is Lindsey Jenelle Russell. My Mom’s name is Leslie. When she named me way back in December 1980, she supposedly didn’t realize just how similar the names Leslie and Lindsey are. She never really thought about it. I’ve been living in the shadow every since.
It is important to note that not only did I attend the very same school district K-12 that my Mom did as a child, my Mom also taught in that district the entire time I was a student. I even ended up with a few teachers that she’d had 24 years earlier, several in fact. It was understandable that occasionally people in my hometown, so many of whom have known my Mom for decades, would call me Leslie. It never really bothered me, but nothing could prepare me for what happened next.
When I arrived on campus at Michigan State University in August 1999, I never dreamed the name Leslie would follow me. How wrong I was! Even though no one there knew my Mom, I would occasionally get called Leslie by professors, classmates, etc. When I met Brian’s Dad for the first time, before he even met my Mom or knew her name, he called me Leslie too. I must look like a Leslie. I have no way to explain it. It just keeps happening with people who in no way could know my Mom’s name. It is pretty funny. Sometimes I think I should just go with it and answer to Leslie.
Nah, I’m too much my own person. That is what makes it even funnier. My Mom and I look nothing alike. It is my sister and my Mom that look eerily similar. How my name gets mixed up with my Mother’s I will never know.
I don’t know if any of us ever really can look objectively at who our mothers are. Others outside of the blood relation can sometimes have an unobstructed view. Maybe you do look like a Leslie or maybe some of your mom’s better qualities are so entrenched with yours that you “become” a Leslie. Knowing you AND knowing your mom – what a winning combination!!! The nice thing about adulthood is that we can look back and pick and choose who and what we want to be. And being ourselves is absolutely the best. But being a bit of our moms isn’t all bad either.
Thanks Lorraine. I’ve just always thought it so funny. I really never dreamed it would be a problem outside of Omer/Standish, but I do get called Leslie all of the time. Funny stuff.
Lindsey
One of my best pals growing up was Leslie…I think it’s a common name..or it’s the “L” thing..
Hi LInds. Thought I’d ‘Wave’ at you from the Leslie side of the name spectrum. I’m enjoying your A-Z challenge this month. Greetings to your mom as well.
Thanks! I feel bad I’ve gotten so far behind on A to Z. I could blog the Beatles for years, there is just that much to say.
Lindsey
Nice looking family! I grew up with two girls who were sisters — named Leslie and Lindsey. So I forever want to interchange the two names now. But I have yet to call you Leslie, right? Okay, I cheat — it’s in your username.
WOW. I bet they get it all the time too then. I have cousins named Linda and Laura – sisters – so a similar thing gonging on there.
Thank you by the way. I love this picture. It would be a great family picture if my brother and sister were in it.
Lindsey
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