Nicknames

Today I got an email from my friend Janeal AKA "Chicee Bum". Over the course of the last few days I've had the opportunity to use several nicknames for my friends and have them call me a few terms of endearment. (They are endearing, right guys?! Guys? Guys? Right? You still love me, right? Oh good!)

So it's got me thinking about how these names came to be. Most of my life there has been someone that has called me MEL. I don't mind it most of the time. In fact, I think Darren calls me Mel more than Melanie. Its familiar, it's cool, it's ok. But I confess, there are some people I do NOT like to call me Mel. There is a woman at church that tries to call me that, I correct her everytime. She's a big ol' bully woman, it's the only way I can correct her on something without declaring WWIII! I know, I'm such a pacifist! The Queen of Mean hasn't earned the right to call me that! *grins*

My friend Lindy calls me MeeWee! She's the only one that is allowed to call me that! Truth is, it makes me laugh to think of this TOUGH ol' Tattooed, Harley ridin' biker woman calling me such a "soft" name. She's sworn me to secrecy so I can't tell you that even though she's tough on the outside, she's really a marshmellow on the inside.

Left to right in the back: Me (as Tink minus wings and wig), LesaLesa & the Cult Jam Force (Lesa), PollyWog (Polly), Amers (Amy), Jeanie Weanie (Jean) and Front: Lindy Lou Who (Lindy). We had all just received Temporary Tattoos close to our hearts to match Lindy's Butterfly Tattoo.

Several of my friends call me TINK. This all started about 6 years ago when I dressed up like Tinkerbell for Girls camp. It was so fun having an alter-ego that Tink became a frequent & favorite visitor at "wake-overs" and other parties. I haven't seen her for a few years....maybe I'll have to invite her over sometime.

My friend, Xina calls me MayNayNee! My old friends Renae and Debbie called me Melvis, My sister, Natalie calls me Melanwee and some kids I used to babysit called me "Mentally" or "Mental". They were probably the most accurate in their nickname descriptions! (Babysitting 6-8 kids under the age of 8 would tend to make someone mental wouldn't you agree?! LOL)
Left to Right: Me, Lesa, Vicki (in the back), Xina, Michelle (Who is Vicki's sister)......Don't you LOVE Xina's T-Shirt?

The truth is, I've always liked my name, Melanie, but I'm so glad that I'm surrounded by people that love me, that feel comfortable enough to give me an extra comfortable tag of love. I'm sure I've got other nicknames...heck, my kids have probably called *ME* "The Queen of Mean"....and I am, like after I've told them to stop fighting 48 times or to clean their rooms 96 times or even when I'm just feeling like I want to try out for the "Miss Crabby Pants" role at church when it becomes available again! *evil cackles*

So what's your nickname? How'd ya get it? How do you like it? And to Janeal, would you still turn around as fast as you did in 9th grade when I hollered "Hey Chicee Bum" to get your attention? hee hee

Have a GREAT Day!

~Melanie