What's really in a name?

I have been called by a number of names in my lifetime. On the first day of school I am called by my given name — Cynthia. Once I got to college it didn’t bother me to be so formal and when people use my given name now I hardly give it a thought.

I usually go by Cindi. Spelling changed from a “y” on the end when I was a teenager. My father gets a kick out of finding stuff to tease me about on that issue and I love it! Teenage independence is an odd thing and he has played on it for years.

For a bit in middle school, my friends and I decided to go by our initials. Mine was cool — C.C. Our own l...