I've been very undecided about whether to change my last name or not. My last name is definitely an unusual, long, hard-to-pronounce-and-spell last name, but I love it because of that. It's a part of a family identity which I'm proud of, and a name I will have spend 28 years of my life going by -- I've earned a masters degree with it, and got myself into law school with it. But I'm also a traditional person, and I would like to have the same last name as my husband and kids to show unity within the family we are building together.
I should note that I like FI's name, too. He also has a rich sense of family pride and history, and definitely wants to keep his name. He has been supportive of me keeping my own name if I want. Our two names hypenated, however, would be too much for me -- they are both long, ethnic names and do not jive well together.
So right now I'm basically going back and forth between two options:
(1) Make my maiden name my legal middle name after we're married, so I can keep it that way, or
(2) Keep my maiden name as my surname legally and professionally, although I am fine being addressed as "Mrs. Fi's last name" socially and casually by people who may not know. My aunt did this, and I didn't' know she kept her maiden name until I was 20 years old. For years I had addressed cards and letters to her as "Mrs. Uncle's last name." She is pretty chill about it but at the same time gets to keep her maiden name professionally, which I admire.
Thoughts from other ladies who have done similar things/ are contemplating doing them?