After worrying about the hassle of changing my name and hounding many new brides about the process, my name change is now complete. It went much better than I thought. I took a full day off from work and started at the DMV. I was amazed at the number of non-english speaking folks waiting in line with me to get their driver's licenses. Most of them brought their son or daughter with them to help translate. I picked a good day to do it because I was in and out with my new license and new name in less than an hour. My next stop was the social security office. I rode up the elevator with what I assume was a prisoner because he had a police escort with him. He was a very nice fella and we talked about how we hoped the wait wouldn't be too bad. I walked in to a room full of people just sitting around waiting with three open windows of unfriendly workers. I scanned the room for a seat and found one in the back next to a girl who looked like she was as out of place as I was waiting to change her name as well. I sat waiting trying to listen for my number to be called. A lady sat down next to me with her cell phone in hand talking to her "baby's daddy" on the phone--she actually referred to him as that. He asked where she was and she said "I'm at the social security office checkin on my money". Seriously??? Can I just get my name changed? So, my number was shouted out by the lady behind one of the windows, and I raced up to the front with all the paperwork already filled out that I downloaded from their website. I asked if I would get my new card that day, and she ignored my question, left her desk and went to the printer to print out a piece of paper to sign with my new info. Thank God I scanned it and noticed the address with apartment #3312....I shouted "NO! This is wrong!" crossed through it and had her change it to the correct address. I had reached my breaking point. She gave me a letter that said I would get my new card in two weeks and away I went. Next was changing my name at the bank. I went to the Wachovia near my work because I knew they had nice people working there, and I was very pleased with the name change at the bank along with our 300 new checks with both of our names and address for FREE :) I just got back from HR at work and I'm now wearing my new employee ID. So, I think I have it all covered. I'm sure I'll run into Russell here and there, but I am now officially known as Lindsay Thomas.
I wish I had the professional pictures back, but until then, here are some for your viewing pleasure that people sent to me. 
