Somehow That Just Doesn't Roll off the Tongue like Tsotskos!

I'm finding it hard to decide if I should give up my last name, a name that I fought so hard to defend all my life. Just try to pronounce Tsotskos right the first time, you can't, can you?  That's what always made it interesting, that's what always made it fun.  Now, tradition states I should become a Weston but that name means very little to me with respect to my own identity.  I'm a bit of a married mutt aren't I with a  first name Souzan and last name directly traced to the British Royal Family. The name itself is not really the issue I suppose. I don't care if it screams that I've been traded and stamped and shipped off to another tribe, but changing my name really feels like I'm automatically a little less ethnic, a little less me. I'm not ready to go there, yet.

Interestingly enough, this name I am so strongly defending is likely not even my family's true ethnic name.  Through stories from my grandfather, I've learned the name has been manipulated to sound more ethnically Greek, from a true Slavic form which would explain why when I lived in Greece, even Greeks had a hard time with it.  Needless to say, I have no idea how I'm to take the leap from a name attached to a twisted and politically turbulent lineage to become an old English Weston. 

What I do know is that the day that prompted the change, my wedding day, was better than I admittedly thought it would be. I've been writing about my upcoming wedding for the past six months and the only word I could think of on June 6,  when I stood  up to address my guests, was Happy.  That's what I felt, and that's what I saw exuding from Galen the minute I saw him at the altar.  Happiness,  it was all around us. 

I had every detail perfectly planned and most went off well, I think. I say this with uncertainty because I didn't really pay attention on the day, I was too busy having fun. (Not too much fun to notice the really kitsch gift box the florist lent me, but I didn't let it get to me).  The other thing I remember clearly,  because the pain remains daily, is the perma numbness in my big toes. Thank you again, Manolo.

I have so much to write about from the expereince of having to sleep with my aunt the night before my wedding, to the minute we woke up in a dream bridal suite at the Fairmont Royal York the very rainy next day. Unfortunately you'll have to wait because I won't talk about it until I can Show 'n Tell with my professional photos by Click Photo Company. They're on the way, and I promise when they get here, I will begin to describe what a doll I was in Alfred Sung and how Galen dazzled in Dior!

In the meantime, I am getting ready to leave for our Hawaiian honeymoon.  Oahu, Kauai and Maui are on the agenda. Awaiting us is pure island luxury, sunset boat cruises, scenic pic nics, and delectable spa experiences. 

My biggest dilemma will be which name to use on the luggage tags. Weston, may actually win out, but likely for mere space saving purposes!

Mahalo for now. I'll send an Aloha from Hawai!

Sousie Tsotskos, A Greek Divas Bridal Brigade
		About the author:
		Toronto public relations expert Sousie Tsotskos will walk down the aisle on June 6th, 2009. After years of showcasing Toronto's finest to media from around the world for Tourism Toronto, she uses industry secrets to plan her own wedding, taking us on an intoxicating and zany tour. From unusual dress-fittings, unwelcomed run-ins, hen parties and a minor identity crisis - find out how this Toronto mover-and-shaker learned to plan her BIG, LEAN, STYLISH GREEK WEDDING on a dime. This is one of the most highly addictive columns on WOMAN.ca.
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