How do you pronounce your last name?

"How do you pronounce your last name?" is a question that Andrew and I get on a regular basis. This is usually followed by us pronouncing it, and then the person who posed the question repeating it back incorrectly. We have heard Gardner (there IS NO "N" in our name!), Gooder, Garhder, and Goider, the last being my favorite [insert sarcasm here.] This week though, an impossibly difficult name came in handy.

I had a very busy Saturday and when I returned home from my various master classes and choir rehearsals, Andrew told me a little story. 

No matter what direction you are coming from, you have to drive down Brady Lane to access our cul-de-sac. The road goes from two lanes to one and the speed limit is 30. One of Andrew's favorite things to do is play with the drivers in the left lane. He will freak them out by leading them to believe that we are going to cut in front of them to merge, until we turn right onto Portsmouth Drive at the last moment. 

Apparently, Andrew was doing this and speeding while passing a police officer. [This is the man I married...] The police officer pulled him over basically right in front of our house. (It was so close that he is sure that the neighbors could see the whole thing unfold.) Apparently, the officer took Andrew's license and registration and was taking a while. He comes back and says something to the effect of "With a last name like that, I'm guessing no one ever pronounces it right." To which Andrew answers, "yes." The officer then replies, "That's tough. No one should have to go through that. I am going to let you go with a warning." Andrew then drove 100 feet into our garage and lived to tell the tale. (He may not have if we had to pay a ticket.)

The moral of the story: DON'T speed and mess with other drivers. Also, the next time someone mispronounces my name I will smile and remember that, at times, it can come in handy. ;)