What's In A Name?

These are Steve's parents.  Steve's Dad's name is Neil, but I haven't called him that in about ten years.  Just look at him. Does he look like Neil to you? About 10 years ago, I decided he looked like Lars. I have been calling him that ever since. Doesn't he look like he belongs in the Lap lands herding reindeer?

Anyway, he is just Lars to me. He was at our house yesterday. We were playing a game and I had written down every one's name on the score sheet. We started a new game and George wanted to write down the names. He asked, "How do you spell Lars?" I told him. Then it occurred to me that George did not know his Grandpa's true name.

To test my theory, I asked George a few minutes later, "George, what is Grandpa's name?"

He replied, "Lars."

About six years ago, my brother, Matt came to Thanksgiving dinner with us to my in-laws. After a couple of hours of hearing different names, he said to my father-in-law, "So I know you are Lars, but who is this Neil guy that everyone keeps talking about?"

Now I know how genealogical records get messed up. By name-changing daughter-in-laws like me. But seriously, could I reverse what I have done? No. If I try to call Lars by his real name, it feels like I am calling him a four-letter-word. 

So Lars, if you are reading this, know that I love you and think you should go down to the Social Security Office and have your name legally changed.