Funny thing happened. When I was home this summer in Washington, we drove across the state for my cousin’s wedding. We stopped for lunch at the Burger King in Cle Elum. Five of us were crammed into a table meant for four, and we hear someone say, “Hey Donna!” My mom was talking to us, but because her name is Donna, she and all the rest of us turned toward the guy who had yelled, even though we didn’t know him at all or anyone else in Cle Elum, Washington.
I said: That’s what it’s like to be an Ashley
My brother laughed, and my mom resumed talking.
Really, that is what it’s like to be an Ashley born in 1983. You’re bound to be surrounded constantly by other Ashleys. I was never the only Ashley. On my soccer team, I was the lesser of the two Ashleys. Ashley M. was more popular than me and a much better soccer player. In school, I was sometimes one of three Ashleys in classes.
But, the older I get, the more the other Ashleys seem to drop away. I am now the only Ashley at my school (I think because the average age of students here is 30 something). It’s crazy. When people say Ashley, they mean me. That takes some getting used to. In high school, I never bothered to turn my head when someone yelled, “Hey Ashley!”
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s sort of what being a Josh born in or after 1980-ish is like, too. From kindergarten through 4th grade I was the only Josh. But then in 5th grade, this other Josh moved into the neighborhood and started going to my school. In high school, one of my best friends was also a Josh. And one year in college, I was one of four Joshes living on my floor in my dorm. Ugh.
Try being a Jessica! I was Jessica M. till I got into Jr. High. Born in 1982, everyone was either a Jessica or Jennifer. I still get called Jennifer sometimes. Oh, I can relate.
It’s funny that you two commented, because I actually have a brother named Josh and a sister named Jessica! One area where I got lucky is that Ashley was only really popular for a short period of time.
weird…i’ve never experienced this kind of thing until I studied abroad in australia and there were Sophie’s everywhere! still not the same though, since I go by Sophia to most.
So this came up in your random posts, and I had to click on it.
All I have to say is…AMEN!
And, I hate when people don’t say “actually” the correct way, thus sounding like “Ashley.” Like we didn’t hear our name enough. haha.