My name is not Monica!

This is a funny story. It might get long, but it is funny and sadly, it is very true. Last year, we had H in tumbling and dance class in a town about 25 minutes from us. H enjoyed going, and we all enjoyed the evening in the "big town", but as you can probably imagine, life just gets hectic with four girls during school. We have homework, other activities, stories from the day, fits from being so tired from school, and well, you can just probably imagine. So keep all of that in mind as you read this.
It was one of those days, and I had all 4 girls with me, and at that time (remember, they were 3, 5, 7, and 9), it was a chore just to get everyone from the car to wherever we were going without fits and such. So we were going into the dance studio and there were lots of moms and kids sitting outside because it was such a nice day. There was an article in a local magazine about our family and the adoption and such, and the article had our picture, so as we walked into the studio, a lot of the moms said how nice the article was and so on. We talked a little with them, but tried not to get too distracted on our journey into the studio. Once in the studio, another mom met me with warm eyes, a big smile, and a welcoming "hi!" So, figuring that she was being friendly because she saw the article, I said, "Hi! How are you?" She was pleased to speak to me and obviously wanted to keep the conversation going. She asked about my kids, to which I replied something like, "We are all doing great and having fun!" She was so glad to see me, and I was on a mission to see exactly where the girls ran off to, so I didn't think any more about meeting that woman.
Well, the next week came.....same routine....coming in with the kids....long day, tired, you know how it goes. I walk into the studio and that friendly woman spoke to me again. Man, that woman sure is friendly. I guess she really felt like she got to know us through that article! How nice! We make small talk.......how are the kids...talk about how busy we both are and so on. I passed by her, walking out of the room when she hollers, "We'll see you later Monica!"
What? Was my new friend calling ME Monica? Oh no, I didn't tell her my name was Monica did I? Of course I didn't, what are you thinking Trinity? I should probably tell her I'm not Monica.........but the moment passed. She was off being friendly to someone else, and I was in a totally different room, and how terribly awkward would that be if I walked BACK in the room and said......um, my name is not Monica. Well, maybe she just got mixed up. Oh well. Then the thought left my head, I was busy keeping up with the kids while we waited for H to get out of class. I didn't think about that woman again........until the next week.
Yep, you guessed it. Same routine. I brought the girls in and she was there to greet me with a smile and small talk. Same as last week........I go to leave and she says, "Bye Monica!"
This time......I just say, "Bye!"
How awful for that poor woman to be so embarrassed to find out I wasn't Monica! So I became Monica to her! And it wasn't as if she just thought my name was Monica and I was myself just named Monica. She thought I WAS Monica!
I would see her almost every week. Sometimes she would just say hi, and sometimes she would say hi Monica or Bye Monica, to which I simply responded appropriately! I would try and rush past her so she wouldn't ask too much and figure out I wasn't Monica, because THAT would be awful! (Oh my, what was I thinking, really!)
The year was coming to an end, and it was dance recital time. There were several little girls from our church, so Autumn and I went to Walmart and got flowers, tissue paper and ribbon to wrap up the flowers ourselves for the girls from church. We got to the recital WAY early on accident, but we thought we would take advantage of the time and space and spread our stuff out to wrap all of those flowers. We were busy with our task when I hear, "Hi Monica!"
Oh boy, my friend. "Hi!"
She was very nervous I could tell. I guess maybe this was her first recital.....I don't know cause I try not to ask questions, or she would ask me, I mean Monica questions and I don't know the answers for Monica.
She saw all of the flowers spread out on the table, which covered most of the table. I guess it looked like enough flowers to sell because Monica's friend said something about wanting some of those flowers. I guess she was wanting to buy them and thought we were selling them?? I don't really know, and I just smiled and kind of chuckled at her and kept on doing what I was doing. What is it with this woman? First I become Monica and now she is going to take my flowers! I kept a hand on those flowers and she didn't ask again. BUT, she DID ask another question......."So Monica, Sherry told me to save her seats. How many do you think she will need?"
I know, really, this should be the moment when I say, "Hey woman, you are real nice, but I'm not Monica." But would I do that? NOOOOOOOOOO of course not! I don't know why I just couldn't tell her. So I turned to her and said, "I have NO idea!"
I felt like just saying, "um.....I think she'll need 12 seats" but I didn't. She figured 6 was enough seats for Sherry and I agreed. So she went to save seats withOUT my flowers.
You would think that would be all...........WRONG!!!!!!!!
During the recital, A had to go to the bathroom. No problem......that is until we go into the bathroom and Monica's friend is in there helping her girl get changed. "Hey Monica!"
"Hey!"
A's eyes bugged out of her head and she slowly turned her head to me. You could just see the wheels in her head turning and I could see the words coming out of her mouth. Oh great.....I made it all year being Monica and A is going to ruin it on the day of the recital.
I couldn't let that happen, so I quickly covered her mouth and shoved her into the stall so she could go to the bathroom. Poor girl. The only thing I told her was, "Please don't ask questions right now."
Well, the recital went great, and while we were in the parking lot talking to some friends, guess how came out the door.......yep, Monica's friend. I wasn't sticking around for this one, so I DOVE into the back of the van, just laying there hoping she didn't see me. Whew!!!! It worked!
So ladies and gentlemen, the moral of the story.....please just tell someone when they have your name wrong. Endure the awkward moment and go for it! Believe me, it is exhausting being someone else!