The Power of a Name

I never understood the significance of a name until I got older and recently a new understanding came to me. Names hold a lot of weight, especially a last name and sometimes a middle name. Some people get their middle names because it helps diffuse an argument between families or spouses.

Moms get the first name because they did gave birth and dads can pick the middle name.

Or you marry into a family that have traditions.

Luckily I am neither 😃

I actually grew up disliking my name - Natalie Ruth Davis - and the reason is extremely silly.

When I was in the first grade we had to write our initials on ALL of our pencils for school, mine was NRD. One day, I missed placed my pencil and another kid found it and across the room he yelled “Who’s initials are NERD?” also keep in mind I had just gotten my first pair of glasses - so this label of NERD was already given to me. ugh. not only did I look like a nerd but now my initials proved it correct. (Thank GOD glasses are in - I finally look cool with my glasses!)

It wasn’t until I was older that I realized the love that was put into giving me my specific name. It comes from my maternal great grandmother - Ruth Natalie - who everyone speaks so highly of. My mom and her sisters always have great stories about her. Then the name got switched around to Natalie Ruth by Nana. She had a daughter that was a blue baby (her lungs were under developed) and back then they did not have all the technology and machines that they do now.

When I became mature enough to understand the significance and weight in a name - I proudly owned NRD. That’s also why I didn’t drop any of my names when I get married. Just simply slapped Melin to the end of it.

Fast forward to a few years ago, and specific names where given to me when Steven and I were trying to have a bio baby. (I don’t like saying “our own baby” Hannah and Lydia are my own.) The names that were given to us have been prayed over and I would go as far as saying cried and plead over. Infertility is no joke and I wouldn’t wish it on my biggest enemy.

With Hannah and Lydia we did not want to change their first names and neither did they. However, middle names were a must - especially for Lydia because nobody knew how to spell it. Since the day we found out that we were going to adopt the girls, I had been processing what their middle names should be. For Lydia, I wanted it to reflect who she is - loyal and loves everyone (especially family) very deeply. I knew changing her last name to Melin was not enough for her because she is also is someone who wants everyone to be included.

Lydia Davis Melin

She is so proud of her name. She knows that she is half of her dad and half of her mom.

We have a birth certificate to prove it.

As if I gave birth to her.

Lydia is such glow. She can light up a room with a smile or a funny story she made up. She is my people pleaser.

If you have met her once, you will never forget her. Lydia has taught me a lot about myself. I find it funny how much we learn from tiny humans. We, as parents, are in charge of making sure they are still living at the end of day. We take care of them and teach them responsibility but in return they teach heart level things. Lydia has shown me how to laugh in all situations. Have faith when it feels like God is not listening. Have patience with people even when they cut you off while driving.

Lydia is a hard worker and I love bragging on her. When she came to our home she was in the second grade 3rd quarter but her reading level was close to being a full year behind. She desired to be a better read and worked really hard at it. We found out a few weeks ago that she is now completely caught up!

Lydia is a fighter for good and a sweet friend to have.

I am blessed to call her daughter & am still amazed that she gets excited to call me mom.

"And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." – Acts 16:14-15

#adoption #fostercare #foster #name #names