Can you say Duggan?

 My maiden name is Duggan [Doug – an]. Dugan [Doog-an] is the common mispronunciation of the name and it happened so often growing up that by time I got to college, I let my professors just roll with the Doog, instead of fighting a losing battle for the Doug.  

At 22, donning my cap and gown, waiting in line to do the graduation march, a director comes by to confirm the pronunciation of everyone’s names. I make mine crystal clear, like hello, this is an epic moment in one’s life and my sur name (you know, the one from the signature on the bottom of all those tuition checks) needs to be read loud, clear, and accurately. The announcer is up to the D’s as I am approaching the stage, giddy with excitement and beaming with pride. My name is announced while I simultaneously shake the Dean’s hand and have my photo snapped and what do my ears hear?? Miss Laura DUGAN [DOOG-AN], freakin DUGAN! There are no words needed here as this picture is surely to suffice in detailing my absolute devastation.

Sidenote: this picture sits in it’s 8 x10 stature in a prominent area in my dad’s sitting room just so no one can miss the hilarity. Yes, hilarity. Can’t you see me laughing? Oh right…I’m not. Bitter, party of Dugan.

2 years later, I marry Tay and am delighted (maybe too much so?) by the assumption that I will finally have a name that could never suffer a mispronunciation. But you know what they say, when assuming, you make an ass out of you and me. While complaining to Tay about how improbable, yet factual it is that people have somehow managed to distort my shiny, new last name, he tells me that this is nothing new [mouth drops, whaaat? You know nothing of my last name suffering!] This is when he gives me the gift that keeps on giving, all wrapped up in a pretty, little bow: Field of Cans.