I'm going to introduce you to a boy. His name is William Sean Willardson. Or William Willardson. He is between 4-6 lbs and very active. He likes to jump up and down on his mommy's bladder as though it were a trampoline. He also likes to use his mom's ribs like a jungle gym. He enjoys hearing mommy and daddy talk and sing to him.
Right now we are hoping his hair will be red. We hope that he'll be interested in sports and education. We also hope that he will be active in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and in sharing the Gospel both before and after he serves a full-time mission.
William received his name after careful consideration by his parents. After two weeks of being married these newlyweds were sitting in church writing down names for their future children. William was one of these names. While they struggled with infertility, they continued to write down names over the next two and a half years.They wrote names down, crossed names off, and thought of more. William was always near the top or at the top of the boys list. The parents didn't want anything popular, for they wanted him to still be unique in name, but they also didn't want some obscure name like Nemtyemsaf. So when they got pregnant with a baby boy, they were excited and soon settled on a name.
In fact, while they were mostly sure they were going to call him William, some people didn't like it. Too much of an alliteration. It sounded odd next to Willardson. It was awful one person commented. This troubled and worried his mommy and daddy deeply. They wanted him not to be teased or stuck on his name.
William's mommy, in particular, is very worried about their comments. Some comments are hurtful. Indeed, she doubts whether this is still a good choice. No matter what the end decision is. She wants them to look past his name and see him for who he is. She wants people to look at his heart, as the Lord does in 1st Samuel chapter 16 verse 7.
"...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
William as a name has a long and illustrious history. You can look at William the Great or William the conquer. Or more recently, William Warner Major or William Fernandez. (William, Prince of Wales is an accidental coincidence. Not a major factor). Incidentally our young William is named after the last two names mentioned, William Warner Major and William Fernandez.
William Warner Major was a talented artist in the 1800s, who was born in England and later came to live in Utah. (http://sites.google.com/site/jkmajor/home). William Fernandez was actually a step-grandfather, who despite having no blood relation stepped in and loved his new step-grandchildren very much. William Warner Major was a pioneer and crossed the plains. William Fernandez was a convert who was faithful and true. Both men are physical and spiritual ancestors of William Sean Willardson.
The parents eventually held a poll in which 36 people voted. William Sean Willardson was not the top choice, but the parents felt very strongly that this was his name. They didn't like the others. They didn't fit him. They weren't right.
Some people say you when know the name when you hold the child in your arm. Well the mother feels rather strongly that she is holding him right now. Doesn't that qualify? I think so. The father knows that this little boy's name is William. If they feel so strongly about it, then does other people's opinions matter? The opinions shouldn't matter.
Needless to say, Anne and I love our little Will Willardson to bits. He is our miracle. Our greatest gift from God as a married couple, besides being sealed.
So yeah, we agree that Will Willardson sounds odd. We are not in denial because we "love" the name William. We have both found this to be the name that is for him. Sure he will be teased for it. From my recollection I was teased for Sean. I was called "seen" on and off for many years. Most people are, have been, and will be teased about there names. This is a fact of life.
We love all our friends and family for their support and care. We are grateful for their advice. We are extremely happy that we even have a baby to give a carefully thought out name.
Sincerely,
Sean
