Names are important. It's a huge part of who we are - how we're identified.
Petey is 100% Sicilian. All four of his grandparents came from Sicily.
Probably when his paternal grandfather came through Ellis Island, whoever was manning the desk that day pronounced his last name as Alta . . . more. The melodious ring was gone and I suppose he didn't feel comfortable schooling this "American" on the correct pronunciation of his name.
And so it goes.
Until now. I always told Peter that if we ever moved out of Allegan we were going to reclaim our name. Give it the old Sicilian swing.
We've been (ok, maybe just me) practicing the last few years when we spend a few chilly months in Florida and it felt right.
I realize we haven't moved very far away (only 22 miles) but in the new digs in the new home town our name is pronounced
Alta more a (long A)
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