Her Name Is What??

I was with the girls in Barnes&Noble and met a woman with her 18 month old daughter. We began chatting about our favorite kid's books and t.v. shows. She said her toddler loved Sesame Street.

Her: "I don't let my little girl watch very much t.v."

"Me, neither," I lied. "What's your daughter's name?"

"Tambrekliny" (Tam- BREK-Lyn-nee)

It felt as though a full minute went by as I tried to wrap my brain around the name the woman had just uttered. I suddenly realized that my facial expression was much like the one I always had during high school math class. I quickly tried to smooth over my face full of confusion, but all I could think to say was, "Huh." (I know, very graceful of me.) I certainly didn't mean to be rude, but I simply could not fathom how such a name was even concocted. What, you couldn't decide between Tami, Amber, Brooklyn, or Britney, so you jumbled them all together and that's what you came up with? The wheels in my brain were spinning.

The woman then mentioned that she and her boyfriend were thinking of having another baby, but that she is freaked out at the idea. I resisted the urge to suggest that she at least give her second born a normal name. She had been observing Katelyn and Emily together and asked me, "So how is it having TWO kids?" I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see Emily knock over a display case full of books and Katelyn tip backwards on a wooden bench and dissolve into tears. "So fun," I answered with a very convincing smile.

Most of the time, that is true. We have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day I can at least take comfort in knowing that I gave both of my girls names that won't ensue unflattering reactions every time they're introduced to new people through their lifetime.
Poor Tambrekliny. 18 months old and no future at all.