The Name Game: Bliss Berit

Bliss Berit.

I became pregnant with Bliss when Ryli was only three months old. Whew!

And when we discovered she would be our third daughter in a row, I was emphatic that her name must mean we were HAPPY to be having another girl.

I told David the name “Bliss” early on, but he thought it sounded a little “hippie.”

Eventually, I won that argument and since he has conceded that Bliss is one of his favorite names.

She barely ever cried and even her crying sounded like laughter. Ironically, she now cries easily and when she laughs the tears just flow.

Amazing child. If there is such a thing as a fundamental Christian who is a feminist, it’s Bliss. Ever in 4 inch high heels, a fashionista who is better at dressing than I am, incredible defender of the weak and constantly questioning and arguing in a way that makes each of us stronger and better off for it, Bliss is a unique young woman that I give a wide swath of freedom. Her favorite historical person is Joan of Arc. I see her playing that role on the bog screen one day for sure. She is who she IS. And since who she is reminds me an awful lot of me when I was 17, I get her.

Her middle name is Berit, which I chose because it meant beautiful.

And of course– she is that.

You can read more about Blissy and the lessons parenting her has taught us in my book Please God Don’t Let Me Screw This Up: Hope and Help From a Mom of Fifteen.