I love it when you call me…

I have NEVER liked nicknames.  EVER.  

Just ask anybody that I grew up with.  All my life, people tried to call me Mandy.  They usually only did that once.  My reactions were, um, colorful.  Just the mention of Mandy makes me want to throw up in my mouth.   Most likely, I would talk about the meaning of my name…AMANDA.  Amanda means “worthy to be loved”.  I like that meaning and I like my name.  Why in the world would you slaughter it with names like Mandy, Manners, AAA  (evidently people of equal hair color should get married….long story…maybe you don’t want to ask…), Amanda Panda, or Manna??    

During the first couple months on the race, my friends Patrice and Gretchen began to call me Manders.  My friend, Tiffany, also randomly started using that little pet name.  None of them knew the other was doing it.  

When I heard it, it sounded like love and felt like a big bear hug.  It still does.  When I hear it, I feel love….I can’t explain it… But I sure do LOVE IT!!!  Now, most of my friends call me Manders and it makes my heart very happy.