i want to keep my surname even if i get married.  why do i need to change it?  i was born with that name and i don't think marriage should make me change it.  i don't think it's an indication of my love or respect for my (future) husband.  another reason is that i have my father's surname, and i am an only daughter.  that means nobody else will keep his surname.  and he's an only son, so there's no Sandoval in his family anymore.  i really want to keep it.  and i have found a partner who's encouraging me to.  :)

but i'm not saying that carrying the husband's last name is not a good idea.  i just belive that marriage is not measured by carrying a common last name alone.  it doesn't make you less of a wife if you don't carry your husband's last name.

the only thought that's stopping me from making my mind on this is that if i'll have children, i want them to carry my husband's last name.  or is it even a choice?  i think it's automatic (common law).  then, my children and my husband will have that last name, then mine will be different.   hmmm... i'm not sure about taht.  i would like to have the same last name as my family. 

so then, i'm having second thoughts.