To S@le or not to S@le?

Besides “Have you got your dress yet?” and “Have you picked a reception place?” the question “Will you be Kelly S?” is right up there when it comes to wedding-related interrogation.

I have put much thought into this, and try as I might, that Seinfeld episode always comes to mind. It’s haunting, really: Jerry is waiting for some woman named Susan Chang at a Chinese restaurant. The lady shows up, and he is stunned to find that the Chang-lady is, in fact, WHITE. Jerry is indignant; he feels betrayed by the woman who wanted to pass herself off as Chinese.

So I ask myself: If somebody is expecting a Kelly S, will they feel indignant and betrayed when they see me, with my black hair and Asian nose, walk into the room? Will I be accused/judged for trying to pass myself off as WHITE? I may as well change my whole name to “SHANIQUA S,” if I really want to play with people’s minds.

I have dreamed all my life for the moment when I, Kelly, would FINALLY rid myself of my lame last name. And as I approach this glorious day, I find myself surrounded by doubt and confusion. Kelly C-S? Kelly C S? Kelly S?

So now I’m taking a poll. I cannot guarantee that your vote will actually count (because in the end I’ll just do whatever I please), but I’d like to see how people feel about this very important issue.