I received a note from a First Wives World reader this week, coincidentally also named Michelle Rosenthal, who related to my post about returning to my maiden name. She wanted to let me know that I'm not the only one who revisited the "name game" as I start over after separating from Steve.

Here's part of what Michelle wrote: "I was divorced two and a half years ago and proudly went back to my maiden name of ‘Michelle Rosenthal.' Well I think you will agree with me, life is better as a ROSENTHAL :)
What a coincidence!

Dear Michelle,
Thank you so much for responding to me! I'm so happy to be starting my life again using my maiden name, a name that I always felt secure with, always felt myself with and never wanted to give up in the first place.

It seems as though you can relate and understand how empowering it is to take something back that you felt you had to give up. Yes, divorce is hard but it seems to give me strength knowing what the Rosenthal name means to me. It's almost in a way like my security blanket; I will definitely never part with it again. During a time where I don't know much else, that is one thing I know for sure!

Warm Regards,

Michelle