What's in a Name?

On October 30, 1950, Beans (aka Fred) and Evelyn were enjoying dinner in a Chinese restaurant in San Luis, Mexico. Beans was probably enjoying dinner more, since Evelyn was in the process of going into labor. They headed back to Yuma, Arizona, where Beans dropped Evelyn off at the hospital. According to Evelyn, Beans headed home to get some sleep and then went to work as usual on October 31, while she was working on giving birth. Yes, she held a grudge.

Anyway, a baby girl was born on Halloween morning. She was known as Baby Girl for several days, since apparently Beans and Evelyn hadn't thought about a name during the previous nine months. Yes, Baby Girl held a grudge.

Since Baby Girl was almost born in a Chinese restaurant in Mexico, some in the family thought it would be amusing to name Baby Girl "Maria Wong". You'd think a guy known only as "Beans" since he was seven would have been a bit more sensitive about the whole name thing.

Thankfully (from Baby Girl's perspective) Maria Wong was voted down. After three days, the neighbors suggested the name Nancy and it stuck. There was a disagreement on the middle name. Evelyn wanted Ruth and Beans wanted Wong, so they compromised and didn't list any middle name on the birth certificate. Legally, Baby Girl's name is "Nancy N.M.I." but to this day, all family correspondence is sent to Nancy Wong.

In retrospect, I guess it makes sense that a German-American girl, raised on the Mexican border, who was almost born in a Chinese restaurant in Mexico would have some interest in travel and learning about other cultures. That's the excuse I'm using, anyway.

I'm joining the Peace Corps because my mom was very pregnant and had a craving for Chinese food and the best Chinese food in the area was in a tiny town in Mexico.