Names are incredibly funny and perplexing things. Names are bestowed on us by our families of origins or those who raise us. They are things we accept and take and some of us love them. Some of us hate them. I live in a world where my name is source of pride and a source of pain. And I'll carry both those things with me onto the next world. When it came to naming our children, it is something the Rector and I took very very seriously.
With PK 1.0 I knew I wanted her to be named after her Dad. Having an absent father, one that really didn't care so much that I existed but did just enough to keep me on the hook, I knew the PK would have a very different relationship with hers. I also wanted her to be intimately connected to one of three women who loved me more than anything. So she is named after her dad and my maternal grandmother. And wowee, is she ever the spitting image of her dad and the fire of her GiGi. She is strong and quiet. Fierce and unwavering in her ideas. She is the very best of both of them.
PK 2.0 started out with the name Emery. I loved it. But as luck would have it we needed a last-minute change and honestly, I named her after the female lead on Scrubs. She is my smarty pants who FEELS everything. She is also named after her paternal great-grandmother. She is fierce in her own way. She is pragmatic, and a natural nurturer. She loves small people and can stand up for herself if needed. Her paternal great-grandmother had 6 children earthside and worked tirelessly to love and care for them. PK 2.0 is my "thinker".
PK 3.0 is my wild card. Always has been, and always will be. She is named for my grandpa's love of his home state, Louisiana. I always say I knew her name the moment I knew I was pregnant. The Rector was kind and got on board with very little discussion. She is named after both her paternal grandmother and one of her maternal great-aunts. It's a name that is very feminine but also very strong. Just like her name she has weathered much but stands firm in who she is. She doesn't need anyone to agree with her, she is who she is and she doesn't need or want or seek your approval. She loves fiercely and will always do so. Also, without any need for permission or approval. She is probably one of the best Christians I know. Just love and if it's not about love and kindness, it's not about Jesus or God. I love that she loves that way.
PK 4.0....named after our favorite beach in California and for her paternal great-great grandmother. She also shares the name with my maternal great-great aunt. PK 4.0 is a ball of fire who will be #hatefulandrude if she needs to be. She can love you and kick your ass in the same breath. She is the perfect littlest of sisters. I hope she doesn't dull that flame for anyone. If you can't take her at her sassiest, you don't deserve her at her best. I'll stand ten toes down on that. Lord, you had better have given your heart to God cause if you cross her, your butt belongs to her.
PK5.0, the one who changed the game. Who closed the book of childbearing for me. In like a damn lion and living like a lamb. He's the picture of his paternal great-grandpa with his paternal grandpa and dad's eyes. He is kind and sweet. He is the best version of both our families. And as he told me the other day, "I might be moving to Okwahoma but I'm a Texan!" You sure are buddy. Live into that proudly.
These earthside kiddos are amazing and I'm so glad they are mine.
