For me, I never thought of my name as being common. I had met a few people with my first name, many with my last, but never anyone with my first and last. However, my unknowing bliss came to a screeching halt when I went away to college. It was upon freshman registration that I learned that there was another student with my name. And not just first and last, but middle as well! I was fortunate, this student decided early on to receive her education elsewhere and I was able to return to my state of semi-bliss. I say semi, because just knowing that there is someone else out there with YOUR name is a little unnerving.
As my college years went by, I forgot about the other me. I was thrilled when I got married. My all-too-common last name would finally be changed, albeit to only a slightly less common name. I continued in my bliss, throwing out my new name to every government agency, credit card company, relative, prospective employer, and basically anyone else with whom I came into contact. At a routine check-up at my doctor's, the "newbie" (I will call her that because I had not seen her before) came into the exam room and started with the typical banter "Hi. How are you doing?" and such. As she looked at my chart, she paused then asked "And how have you been doing since the lumpectomy?" On the verge of tears, shaking and only partially clothed, I managed to squeak out a "The what?" followed by her saying "You are (enter name here with newly acquired last name). "Um (gulp) yes", I said. I guess I scared her as much as she scared me, because she suddenly got this look of "Oh crap" and darted out of the exam room. When she came back, it was as if she were entering the room for the first time. The only indication at all that this was a second go-around, was a muffled "Now I have the right chart". POP! There went my bliss bubble!
This realization of the new other me with my new last name happened twenty years ago. Since that time, she and I have crossed paths several times but have never formally been introduced. So I am here to introduce myself. Hello BW, I am BW. We live in the same town and apparently shop at many of the same places. I know this because several clerks have, upon checking my ID, have commented that they know you, or maybe there is another one of us. I've never really thought much about you, but have always known that you were around. At times, I must admit, it has been comical. It has never really been an inconvenience (except that doctor visit!). You've just always sort of been there, like a freckle on the back of my hand.
Three years ago I worked for a company that did business with you. Your information found its way to my desk in a stack of files to which I had to make follow-up calls. I can honestly say that I have never in my life made a phone call like that! Luckily you were not home and I got your answering machine. The message I left went something like "Hello. This message is for (insert my name). This is (insert my name again) from (company name)." I'm sure there was an uncomfortable pause there along with maybe a weird chuckle before asking you to call our office. Luckily, when you called back I had already left. After a while, you returned to the "just there" status in my head. Until this morning.....
My insurance company called. I am sure that the girl had something important to ask me, but she was doing nothing but confusing me. The conversation went something like this (after initial introductions):
Her: "I'm calling about the fax you asked me to send to (previous insurance company) yesterday."
Me: "I didn't ask you to send a fax. I've already notified (same previous insurance company) that we've changed. I called yesterday to get the fax number, but I didn't ask you to fax anything."
Her: "You called and asked me to send them a fax. They need verification for your teenage son."
Me: "I've already told them about my teenage son."
Her: "You did called yesterday?"
Me: "Yes. I bought a new vehicle and needed to add it to my policy."
Her: "Right. We spoke about adding that vehicle and dropping the other company's policy, but they needed proof of your son's coverage."
Me: "No. They never said that to me. And you worked out my sons' coverage yesterday."
Her: "You asked me to fax them....."
Me: "Hold on. Honey, did you call (new insurance company) and ask them to fax something to (old insurance company)?
My DH: "No."
Me: "I called to get a fax number...."
Her: "And you added a truck."
Me: "Um, no, I added a car."
Her: "Oh. (long pause) I've got the wrong BW." POP!!
So this note is for you. The other me. The other BW. Our paths have crossed many times, and I am sure they will cross again. But, switching from the same insurance company to the same new insurance company. With the same agent. Buying a new vehicle at the same time. And calling on the same day with some of the same questions is a little too close for comfort.
PS: Please check your insurance policy!
