what's in a name?

my grandmother's name is eula mae, and for as long as i can remember i've loved the name mae.  i love the spelling and how sweet and simple it is.

when cody and i first found out i was pregnant, we went through a bunch of names, but this one was always at the top of our list.  when we found out it was going to be a girl, we narrowed it down to two names.

for the middle name, if we chose mae, i knew i wanted anne.  cody's grandmother's name is anne.  and  bev my mom's best friend and one of the greatest influences in my life, who has passed away, had the middle name of ann.  it seemed to fit so well.

we wanted to wait and see her before we decided on a name, but deep down, i was hoping that she would look like a mae anne.

when i had her, i knew right away this was going to be her name.  i don't think i even looked to cody to make sure he agreed, because it just fit her. she seemed to have the grace and sweetness of my grandmother, the spunk and generosity of cody's grandmother, and the intellect and personality of bev.  i know you can't really tell that much from just looking at a tiny (well, not so tiny on her part) baby, but for some reason, i could just see all of these qualities.  i knew that they were all qualities of these amazing women that i wanted my daughter to have.

she is one lucky babe to have these amazing women to look up to.  how many kids can say that they know great-grandmothers that they are named after?  but, i couldn't help but think that she would never know bev.

one night, when i was up with her, i remember being sad that she would never know bev, and i started to cry.  this woman was one of my favorite people, and she would never get to know my sweet girl.  as i was holding mae, she got a smile on her face, and i was overcome with peace.  in that moment i knew that she in fact does know bev, and that see is watching over her.

i'm grateful for that experience, it was such a testimony builder to me.  i know that heavenly father knows and loves each of us.  and i know that we will be able to see those that we love who have passed on again.

this little lady has some big shoes to fill.  and we're so blessed to have so many wonderful people to love her and help us guide her along the way.

i'm so grateful for each of these amazing women, and the influence that they have had on my life.