Dear Abby: My boyfriend and I both got divorced about the same time, but his took much longer to become final. It is finally over, so we have begun talking seriously about marriage and starting a family.

During one of our conversations, he mentioned that his ex-wife doesn’t intend to change back to her maiden name. I was shocked because she took advantage of him financially and was emotionally abusive all during their marriage. They had no kids, so it has nothing to do with her wanting to share the same name with them. They were married only a few years, so she isn’t well established under that name, either.

When I asked him why she wasn’t changing it, he told me she said his family was always nicer to her than her own. I suggested he ask her to adopt another last name of her choosing if she doesn’t want to go back to her maiden name rather than be falsely associated with a family she is no longer a part of (or welcome in). He won’t consider taking on my last name, so I’m thinking about keeping my own maiden name after our marriage until she changes hers. Am I overreacting, or are two “Mrs.” too many?

Soon to Marry

in California

Dear Soon to Marry: You are overreacting. When a man has divorced, his ex can retain his last name if she wishes. Some do it because they think it may be to their advantage socially to be associated with the family. I have heard of others doing it because they didn’t like their maiden name.

Please keep in mind that after your wedding you will — if you wish — become “Mrs. John Smith.” The ex can use the last name, but will have to use her own first name with it (Ms. Jane Smith) without reference to your husband.

Of course, if you wish to keep your maiden name, you are free to do it; many women do. But if you make that decision, please do it for any other reason than because of the one you put in your letter to me.

Dear Abby: My mother used to go nuts anytime the cameras came out. No matter the setting, the celebration or how lovely she looked, Mom would fling her hand up and yell, “Get that thing out of my face!” even when other family members were in the shot. One day, in exasperation, I finally told her, “Ya know, Mom, someday the only pictures your descendants will have of you will be of an angry, scowling woman.”

Abby, please remind your readers we aren’t trying to persecute them when we want a picture. We just want to hold, share and save photos of the people we love the most, and the kindness and love in their eyes shouldn’t be obscured by their hands.

Finally Got Through

to Mom

Dear Finally: Although we live in a self-promoting and selfie culture, many individuals feel the way your mother does when a camera is aimed their way: like a deer in the headlights. That said, the point you made was valid, and I am pleased that she listened. It is for that reason I’m printing your letter.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.