At birth, I was given the name Phoenix Dawn. This name has been inspirational to me. Its symbolism helped me to navigate some tough times in my life. However, my maiden name, Millhouse, was never something that felt right for me. A symbol of a biological father who I was ashamed of and never really connected to. I was proud to adopt my married name, Thomas, as it represented a new family for me. After my divorce, I had the choice to return to the name Millhouse, but as I still loved the family I had become a part of, despite my ex-husband's infidelity, I decided to keep the name Thomas, but over time it has become a reminder of a family that is no longer mine. As many of you know, while I was in high school my mom and Michael Mike Marlow started their journey. Despite the initially rocky relationship I had with Mike, he truly became the husband I had always wished for my mom, and the Dad I thought I would never get. His was there to sign off on me getting my ears and bellybutton pierced at 16. He was there to worry about me. He took the call when I needed someone while I was having a panic attack and stayed on the phone with me, talking me through what I was really feeling. He defended my honor when I was cheated on. He asked for me and held my hand in the days before he passed. Though it was brief, he was my dad, and I am forever grateful. I have known for a while that I wanted to change my name, but Phoenix Dawn always felt... Unfinished. Since she was the one to give me the name that has transformed me through the years, I called my mom and asked her what she thought, and she came up with the perfect name, a name I shall keep forever: Phoenix Marlow Dawn. Today that name became legal. I hope this makes you smile Mike. I love you. #newchapter #newname #risingphoenix #Phoenixdawn #mystory #dad #rip #fuckcancer #brandnew #rebrand #legal #healing #powerofaname (at Portland, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwx-MBxH3ij/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7bfhwxzx49w7
