Tuesday, November 13, 2007

My "Secret" Identity

I recently had a Parade of Purses Party at my home. It was very fun. I used to not like things like purses and pink, but having three girls has softened me quite a bit. I was really looking for something a bit bigger since I bought my last purse not realizing that I couldn't fit a good sized book inside (and that is very important). Michelle brought lots of fun purses to choose from and I waffled for awhile before I decided on this beauty.
Just as necessary, I needed a new wallet, and I picked that fun polka-dotted green one. As I was changing everything over from my old wallet to my new wallet, I found something that reminded me of a funny story, so I thought I would share... (music plays as the flashback begins).
It was August and my mom had arranged for me to fly to California to spend a week with them hopping around the amusement parks. She sent me a ticket online and I printed it out and took it to the airport. I was checking in and I immediately saw what I had failed to notice at home. The ticket was for Maleen DARGAN. Well, I used to be that girl, but I have been married for over seven years. You would think my mom would have noticed. I was distraught. How was I ever going to get on the plane. It is not like I have ID with that other name. Maybe after one year of marriage you have an old license in your wallet, but not after seven years. Tyler said that the first name was the same and they would probably let me on. I told him he was crazy. My name being a little more unique would not be an adequate reason to let me on a plane. I told him that if he had a ticket with the name Tyler Johnson on it, they weren't going to let him on. The lady at security was laughing heartily at my quandary. She told me to check the front desk for advice. While waiting in line, I scoured my wallet for anything that might help and low and behold, I found a library card with my maiden name and (even better) a blood donor card with much more information. I was saved. The security lady gladly let me through and said her mother would probably have done the same thing. Coming back was less fun. My mom couldn't change the name on the ticket so I was red flagged. All my luggage was checked very carefully and I had to go through all the special procedures that are reserved for suspicious looking characters. But I arrived home safely at last. (music swells as story transitions back to the present).
I laughed to myself as I put my blood donor card into my new wallet thinking, Who knows? I may have need for my secret identity again someday. I did give my mother a hard time, but I have completely forgiven her. It will certainly be me someday and I still catch myself occasionally signing my last name with a D...even after seven years.

8 comments:

Hot Chocolate said...

Too funny. My mother does the same thing. I'm constantly reminding her of what my name is now. I can't believe you had TWO cards in your wallet with your maiden name. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if you hadn't have had those cards. Shewee.

I like the purse. Very nice. And I'm digging that color green lately as well.

Wright Family said...

Tyler was red flagged when we went to TX last fall because his DL was over 6 months expired. At least they would let get off the plane. I think I'd rather been red flagged than mistaken for child flying without a parent, so they wouldn't let me off the plane, until everyone else had gotten off.

meganmushrat said...

You are never going to let me live that down - are you? See if I take you to Disneyland with me again!!!

Desmama said...

Thanks for your comments on my blog!

This story was funny. When I graduated from BYU, my mom got all hot and bothered in the commencement ceremony because she could not find my name in the program's list of graduates. It took her the length of the commencement to finally realized that, oh, I'd been married for a year.

meganmushrat said...

That is a very interesting color of purse to have. Dad says it looks like a giant brussels sprout (He likes it). I think it looks like someone threw up over it. (We do get specimens in that are just that shade of green, but I won't mention what kind of specimens they are!). Enjoy your unusual purse!

Deanne said...

Wow. What fun to go back to your maiden name for a day or so! I'm glad they let you on the plane.

Hot Chocolate said...

I'm not sure how it works...but I responded to one of your comments on my blog with another comment...on my blog. How you would've known that if I hadn't have told you here I have no idea. But now you know.

...did you catch that?

Anonymous said...

I love the purse! I am sad I missed the party, I really love getting new cute purse:)