Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Ever Tried To Name Yourself?

I grew up with the name Amie Gee. My last name was “G, like the letter”, as my Dad always explained to important people. Or, like my Mom always said when we placed an order at a restaurant and had to give a name, “It’s Gee- like Gee Whiz!” When calling role, my teachers always sounded it out phonetically and pronounced it like in Bobby McGee. “Amie Gee?” “It’s Gee,” I would say, and for reasons I never understood at all, my classmates all thought this was incredibly funny. I married a man with the strong German name of Leonhardt. Pronounce it. I dare you. Don’t worry, if you get it wrong, not even I will know how to correct you. ;) Ryan likes to relate the name to Lion Heart, because he’s a little Knights of the Round Table like that. So, I gotta be true to my Gee and my Leonhardt, but for heaven’s sake I write for Young Adults, not Miriam Webster! Amie G. Hardt. My pen name. What do you think? Does it sound like the name of an author you’d be drawn too? There is NO question, however, on the matter of my husband’s pseudonym (for the purposes of this blog). I need look no further than his birth certificate, on which he is known as Ryan Edward. How vampiristically cool is THAT??? Look, I have proof: And the name really fits him in an “I feel like I’m right there in the meadow” sort of way. Ryan Edward will be mentioned often in this blog because he is "tap". He and I have known each other for a very long time and he has taught me all I ever need to know about love in order to write a swoon-worthy love story: Trepidation, Admiration, Infatuation, Flirtation, Friendship, Curiosity, Fun, Fear, Bravery, Disclosure, Romance, Love, Desire, Restraint, Jealousy, Anger, Revenge, Hope, Heartache, Strength, Time, Mystery, Confusion, Clarity, Redemption, Joy, and Forever.

This is a note I wrote to him when we were 14 years old. Trepidation, Admiration, Infatuation, Flirtation, Friendship…


FOREVER...


Boy, oh boy, do I have stories for you.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

I can pronounce it. ;)

This is such a sweet post and I would LOVE to hear those stories. lol! Your letter has me dying. Did he actually ever see that back in school?

Grandma Sony said...

Amie G. Hardt - love it - you're certainly more creative than I - however, I do love the way you express your thoughts and feelings. EDWARD - who woulda thunk? You go girl ! ! !

Bandi Olsen said...

Such a cute post! You two are perfect for each other..you're both pretty tap. And, I love the pen name. Can'twait to read more!

Jana said...

I have tried to get people to call me 'Jana Jovi' or 'Mrs. Jovi' but no one has gone for it.

Amy said...

What?! EDWARD! Serioulsy tap!

Unknown said...

Sounds good to me!

Jess said...

I LOVE YOUR PEN NAME!!! That is PERFECT! I would TOTALLY read something written by Amie G. Hardt!

Emily said...

Amie G. Hardt....I love it!

*Kelly Dawn* said...

Amie, you're a hoot! I can hear the admoration you have for you husband in your words and I'm sure he appreciates you continuous love for him. Love the pen name, very inventive. And the fact that you still have that note is kinda funny. And about the "stories" you have, I remember one I heard when I was probably 8 about a make-shift rope bridge!

Amie said...

Nisa- He really did see the letter, and there were other more embarrassing ones to go with it. We used to joke that we were going to get married back when we were just becoming friends.

Everyone- I LOVE YOU! Thank you for approving the pen name!

And Kelly- I'm impressed that you remember the bridge story. It's definitely one I'll never forget! ;)

Heidi Lyn Panter said...

Great pen name, Amy! I love your posts! And I can't believe you married a man with the middle name Edward! How appropriate! Keep the stories coming!

Ryan said...

I definately remember the letter too. It's great to think that our infatuation has been strong for 20 years now. Great pen name, but I just might have to reveal a few of the nick/pen names I have given you over the years.

Tasha said...

Who's this ryanleon who's commenting on here?!?LOL Love the name...and as always LOVE the post! It's pretty funny for me(since Ryan Edward is my cute little brother) to picture this romantic side knowing all of the stories I know!;) Just ask him about his fav E.T. lunch box!Haha I have to admit...he's one of the greats!

Mike and Sonila Wood said...

Loved the post. You guys are so great together. Your letter is so sweet and innocent, just cute.
Love it!
You are great Amie G. Hardt!