Gaudiello v Lombardi

I lived with the surname "Gaudiello" for 35 years.  When Paul & I decided to get married, among the many exciting thoughts was the idea of finally acquiring a recognized name.  A name that everyone - especially given that we live in Pittsburgh, the biggest football town in the US - would certainly be able to pronounce & spell.  I mean, Vince Lombardi.  The LOMBARDI trophy, for God's sake.  The thing that most Pittsburghers prize above their own children.  I was mistaken.  We've only been married for 6 months, and I've gotten a few different misspellings, most commonly "Lumbardi."  Have you ever seen or heard of this spelling?  "U"?  Really?! 

After the first few times, I thought maybe I was pronouncing it wrong.  I listened to my husband say it.  When he's saying it to a stranger, he emphasizes the "o" sound.  "LOM-bar-di."  So I started doing that too.  Doesn't matter.  I still get people spelling it wrong.  I started saying, "like the trophy."  I even have a joke about me being a trophy wife.  Doesn't matter.  I don't really understand.  I'm not a huge football fan, but by God, I knew how to spell Lombardi before I met my husband.  Then there are the people that don't even attempt to pronounce it when they see it.  My theory is that they see a name ending in a vowel (which usually means it's Italian), and they freeze.  Ok, I can totally understand freezing at "Gaudiello."  Totally.  But there really is only one way to pronounce Lombardi.  And the only acceptable misspelling in my mind is "Lombardy" because I believe that is the original spelling from the region in Italy.  So Paul has taught me anyway.  But sometimes he lies. 

I do get people who actually ask if Paul is related to Vince.  My answer varies.  Sometimes I say "no."  Sometimes I say, "we can dream."  Somtimes it's "we can only hope."  I'm going to start making things up.  How about:  "Yes, he's his family's Consigliere (a mafioso counselor for those of you sad folks who have not seen The Godfather)." 

Anyway, if you're going to have a name that people can't spell or pronounce, I think it's more interesting to have a unique name.  So, ironically, now I sometimes miss being Michele Gaudiello.  Paul wanted me to hyphenate my name.  He thought it would be funny to try to fit Michele Lynn Gaudiello-Lombardi on forms or to hear me trying to tell the pharmacy, for example, how to spell it.  He's a sadist.

I'm changing my name to Princess Michele.