Names are important things. They help us identify who we are in relation to the people and things around us. More specifically people who love us, those who raise us, those who take us in and make us their own. We form families, groups, clans and even ideas around names that connect and bind us. Sometimes we cast off a name, othertimes we take one on. 

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Why am I bothering to mention any of this? It's come to thought, that there may be some who know me as one name (LaMastra) and not the other (Parisi). I certainly don't have to explain my choice in using both here on this site in association with anything I've written, but I'm taking the time to do so anyway.

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LaMastra is my family's name, and I will always carry it with me in some form or another. 

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Parisi is my love's name, and our soon to be daughter's. I want to carry that name with me as well. 

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See? Simple enough. 

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 - Amanda LaMastra Parisi