“And your middle name is Lynn?”
“Um, no, it’s Marie, actually…” I rechecked the official documents the DMV site had told me to bring. Surely I was still capable of getting my middle name right.
“Oh, yes, I see. Sorry, that was your marriage certificate. His middle name is Lynn,” the woman with heavy eyeliner behind the counter was trying to suppress a smile.
“Yeah, I know. It’s a girl’s name.”
She smiled silently and continued clacking on her keyboard. I read the signs on the pastel walls about wildlife preservation and drunk driving as she continued to verify the vital information I could confirm in my sleep.
“And your social?”
“Organ donor?”
I nodded, and moved in front of the blue makeshift photo screen that she was pointing at.
“Smile.”
I did.
“Put your chin down a little.”
I felt my face flush a little while quietly thanking her for her help. I suck at taking pictures.
“And will you be going back to Iowa?”
“Excuse me?”
I was paying attention now, and noticed a pair of blue handled kitchen shears in her left hand, my Iowa driver’s license in her right.
“Are you staying here? Or will you be going back to Iowa?”
“Do I have to decide that now? Right here? I don’t understand…” my voice trailed off as I felt my throat constrict. It seemed like she was asking me to seal off an emergency exit door.
“You live here, right? I just want to make sure.”
My confusion must have been evident on my face. I didn’t understand why were discussing whether or not I’d move back some day. I wasn’t sure. I mean, I didn’t think, but… I was just here to get my Florida ID…
“I surrendered this one,” she decided for me with a casual wave of her right hand. Snip. She cut the corner off my license.
Instinctively, I held out my hand, silently asking her to leave me with the disfigured ID card.
“Have a seat. They’ll call you with your new card in 3-5 minutes.”
I thanked her and went to find my own blue office chair.
Surrendered. That was it. I was, in some kind of official capacity, no longer an Iowa resident. I didn’t live there anymore. It wasn’t, according to the government, home.
And… that was OK. It was strange, I thought, because it was OK and yet monumental for me. It seemed like the final string had been cut with that corner. It was time to let go.
“Britt?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
I exchanged a $20 bill for my new ID. I walked out of the DMV casually, as if nothing had transpired here but some mundane civic business. When I got into my car, I pulled out the new piece of plastic and studied it for a minute before turning the key and heading back home.
Yep. It’s official.
I’m a Floridian.
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At least you don’t look like Tammy Faye Bakker anymore!
Welcome to Florida.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Welcome home
March 26th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Your hair is far thicker and more luxurious now. Must be the Florida humidity. Welcome to the Sunshine State, Britt! See you Friday.
Karl’s last blog post..I’m Excellent. I Have a Button to Prove It.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:15 am
your shoes are fabulous, you are gorgeous and the sun is shining. life is good. welcome home, princess!
hello haha narf’s last blog post..Traveling
March 26th, 2008 at 12:25 am
I remember when they cut my Texas ID in half when I moved back to Arkansas. They refused to give it back to me. I was like “Dude, I’m not gonna Scotch Tape the thing back together and sell it to an illegal … JEEZE!”
Anyway, you take a pretty good DL picture!
Jay’s last blog post..A New Home for the Poll …
March 26th, 2008 at 12:34 am
p.s. i still have my mom’s license in my wallet. when some schmuck thinks they are flattering this almost 37 year old by asking for id, i pull out mom’s and hand it to them. she had a full head of short gray hair, i have long curly red hair. and yet some dumbasses just hand it back as they go fetch my beer. fuckers.
p.p.s. you really did take a nice photo!
hello haha narf’s last blog post..Traveling
March 26th, 2008 at 12:44 am
You’re exactly eight years and a day older than me. :)
March 26th, 2008 at 1:02 am
dude… no weight… maybe i should move to Florida!
March 26th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Welcome to FL. I remember when I moved from OR to WA. I wanted to make the move, but to surrender my OR license and have them punch a big “W” in it was a bit surreal. Weird what crosses our minds when the decision has been finalized.
Chris’s last blog post..10 Things About Chris & Bryan
March 26th, 2008 at 1:11 am
I’m with Tori . . . I need to move to a state with no weight on the DL!
When we moved to Arkansas for a couple of years, they wouldn’t let me keep my Kansas license. It upset me more than it should have.
Honeybell’s last blog post..What Did I Do With That Scarlet Letter?
March 26th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Getting my license here was nothing. I remember spending the first 6 months in a surreal, trapped in time, weird feeling like I was watching someone else’s life and not mine. Then, the strangest thing happened. I went home. To Utah, where I was born and raised and never thought I’d live anywhere else. And it wasn’t the same. It wasn’t what I remembered. It seemed distant and familiar at the same time. Strange yet normal and my God it smelled good. But when I got on the plane to come back to Arizona, that is when I realized I was going home. And THAT was strange.
usedtobeme’s last blog post..Don’t make my mistakes
March 26th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Thanks for the reminder, I still need to do that for Georgia.
Marissa’s last blog post..Thank the higher power for Phase 10
March 26th, 2008 at 1:57 am
I didn’t realise that each state needs their own license. We don’t even get a license from England anymore, we get a generic Euro license.
How do you manage to not look like a serial killer in your photo? Everyone looks like a serial killer on their driver’s license, it’s the rules!
Penelope’s last blog post..What Munchies?
March 26th, 2008 at 3:10 am
I’d ask for my money back. Someone appears to have drawn black lines all over your license.
Dan’s last blog post..Guest Post Tuesday: Becky
March 26th, 2008 at 4:56 am
I am commenting here first instead of at Adam’s. Happy?
You are a lawbreaker, young lady. You were supposed to get your license changed over shortly after you moved here. You are lucky you weren’t stopped for anything.
Hmmph!
Mr. Fabulous’s last blog post..Interview with an Idiot
March 26th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Great pic!
It’s funny how all the little steps add up into something bigger–thank you for sharing them.
turnbaby’s last blog post..And I’m Gonna Get Me Some Happy
March 26th, 2008 at 6:33 am
avitable: thanks. You should throw a party for me.
Peggy:
Karl: aw, thanks Karl! Hopefully this meeting goes off without a hitch.
hello haha narf: my shoes ARE fabulous! How did you know?!?! (2 inch gold stilettos, FYI)
Jay: I was afraid they would do that. Of course, the fake ID ring from back in college did flash through my head briefly.
hello: I think my mom has Nana’s in hers too.
t: heh, GREAAAT.
Tori: I know! Iowa stopped doing it too. I remember because I had lost 40 lbs and couldn’t fucking WAIT to get my license renewed. I was so pissed - I’m like “wait! Wait! Don’t you want to know how much I weigh?!?!”
I’m so suave.
Chris: I’m glad it wasn’t just me. I think the people I called to tell thought I was crazy.
Honeybell: it’s weird, isn’t it?
usedtobeme: I refered to my trip back to Iowa in December as “returning to the snow globe” once I got there. It was so… different. And yet…. not. And yeah, coming home was coming home.
So has showing people from Iowa MY state, etc.
Marissa: I’m about 7 months late here.
Penelope: yeah, we’re all fighting the national ID card here.
Dan: oh man! the bastards!
Mr. Fabulous: happy? Yes. THRILLED! :-)
And I know… I KNOW!
I’ve been busy.
turnbaby: yeah, it is funny.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I didn’t realize just how young you were. I mean, I guess I did, but when I see the 1980 date, I suddenly feel really old by comparison.
In Illinois, if you need a full replacement license, all they will let you keep is the photo. They destroy the rest of it. Kinda sucks.
kapgar’s last blog post..Take my breath away…
March 26th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Wow. I could have written this post 14 years ago when I moved from West Virginia to Georgia. Crazy, hon. Congrats on your big statehood residence step!
Coal Miner’s Granddaughter’s last blog post..Blitzkrieg Spock
March 26th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Look at that license!!! It’s so lovely with the tropical background. Mine just invokes feelings of orange barrels and snow plows.
C-a-n-’-t W-a-i-t
Yay
Florida
ADW’s last blog post..Easter Blah Blah
March 26th, 2008 at 9:23 am
They don’t make you put your weight on your driver’s license?!
JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need to move to Florida, clearly.
I never give the right weight on my driver’s license. If they asked me right now I’d tell them I weigh 100 lbs just to fuck with them.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:45 am
(I don’t weigh 100 lbs. Not even close.)
March 26th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Congratulations and welcome home!
Nice picture too.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think you look totally hot in that picture.
I was kinda
shockedsurprised to see 1980 as well. I thought you were a fair bit older then me - with all those life experiences and all. *Ahem*You’re only 1.5 years older then me.
*wOOt*
(I don’t know why that deserves a *wOOt* I found it appropriate though…whatever…)
Congrats on finally
sucking it upcompleting the transition to a Floridian!sam’s last blog post..A Loving Mistake. Times Two.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I didn’t read the other comments yet so if I repeat, I am sorry but..a few things:
1. I cannot believe how awesome your picture is.
2. They don’t make you tell your weight? What is WRONG with California…we need that policy!
3. Congratulations on being a true Floridian!
Hilly’s last blog post..What Dreams May Come…
March 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Damn they do things fast there. We have to wait WEEKS for ours to come in the mail.
Now you are officially a resident, eh? Do you get discounts at touristy places?
themuttprincess’s last blog post..An exciting update.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Welcome to Florida!
Everything is under construction and we’re loaded with old people, but hey, it’s warm!
March 26th, 2008 at 11:31 am
What the fuck? You don’t have to put your weight on your license? Move over…I’m moving to FL….
BTW, even though i can’t see all of them..I can already tell I covet those shoes. Give them up! What size are they????
(Still waiting on that shoe pictorial)
Stephanie’s last blog post..I Can Be Serious If I Want To….
March 26th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
kapgar: who the hell wants to keep the PICTURE?!?! That’s the worst part!
CMG: thanks hon!
ADW: if you stay long enough, we can get you one of your own. ;-)
Poppy: Yeah, I was all prepared to tell the woman I weighed 228. Damn it.
Finn: thank you
sam: did you just call me old? Or suggest that I look old??
Hilly: I think a lot of states are going to that actually.
And thank you - I look tan!!
themuttprincess: actually, yes - you do. Everything has a “Florida Resident” price.
damon: and the warmth is what I came for!
Stephanie: I just noticed you can see a part of that shoe. I have a post planned still - I promise!
And they are a 7.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hehehehehe, if you weight 228 then I weigh 417.
(It’s the first number to pop into my head.)
March 26th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
A Floridian with a hawt pic on her driver’s licence I might add. I wish I looked that good on my official document pics!!! Holy shit!
DutchBitch’s last blog post..Penile fact #2381
March 26th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Gosh, I really struggled with that moving to Denver. I think I cried when I got my first driver’s license. Of course, my little sister got my other one - which she used for her underage drinking…. She used to be so cool. WHAT HAPPENED? anyway… moving on… ;)
Congratulations for taking the plunge. You are incredibly brave.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Now Brittini, as much as you know I love you… I just have to say, “Fuck you and your cute driver’s license picture you adorably, skinny bitch!!!!!”
Nothin’ but love for ya!
Amy’s last blog post..It Doesn’t Mean You’re Not A Dick
March 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Funny, your Iowa license looks a lot like my new Indiana license. I didn’t take a picture of it though. I guess I still could for that blog entry.
When we moved to Indiana, they didn’t let me keep my California license. They stuck it in a little locked drawer for shredding. They said I couldn’t keep it because of counterfeiting. It didn’t matter to me much, though, because the California DMV had just sent me a new one with my old picture on it. haha.
Lynda’s last blog post..Conversation with my Mom
March 26th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Florida!
A few awesome things you may not know Britt….
You can renew, change address, just about anythin with your licence ONLINE, and they will send it to you in 2-3 days, PLUS, you can keep your old picture
We have drive through liquor stores.
I am a FL Resident as well, which judging on what city you are in, means, we could be neighbors! Well, once Hubby gets out of the Navy that is….
Congrats, and hey, the picture is awesome. I could show you my picture to make you feel better!
March 26th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I’ve been in Georgia… since a few weeks before I turned 21.
I am now 24 (going to be 25 in June)….
You are faster about it than I am.
Marissa’s last blog post..Thank the higher power for Phase 10
March 26th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Damn all you tiny-footed women.
<~~~Size 10. I keep telling myself it’s because I’m so tall and model-like…ahem.
Stephanie’s last blog post..I Can Be Serious If I Want To….
March 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I had no idea that could decaptiate your nationality so easily.
I’m working my through all my blogroll to let you know that, due to the useless of both blogger and my server, the url http://www.freelanceguru.co.uk no longer works.
For some reason the only address that’s working is http://Freelanceguru.co.uk
Freelanceguru’s last blog post..URL UPDATE
March 26th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Well HELL-O saving money!!!!!!!
I know who to call on my next vacay down there!!!
themuttprincess’s last blog post..An exciting update.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Woo Hoo!! She’s finally legal!!
Trishk’s last blog post..Oh Dear
March 26th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Congrats. It’s a big step, and I’m proud for you.
Tense Teacher’s last blog post..My Reality
March 26th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I have to spend a few minutes ‘hating’ you…i mean born in 1980…really??!! Your age didn’t hit me until I saw 1980 on your DL…I suddenly feel like a dinosaur.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’m jealous of your driver’s license photo. It’s looks GOOD.
Nothing is forever, you know. Florida will expire one day, too.
maggie, dammit’s last blog post..Freddy
March 26th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I had a hard time surrendering my CA license when I finally (a year later) got a WA license. It made me a bit homesick all of a sudden even though I love my new home.
Plus, I hate my new picture. :)
sizzle’s last blog post..Letter to My Body
March 26th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
OK I felt bad (Old) when I read you were born a few months prior to when I graduated high school. But I felt much better when I read you were only 5′2” and I tower over you at 5′4”.
Now I have to stop thinking about it before I realize I will shrink as I grow older and soon we will be the same heigh… DAMN! Too late!!
March 27th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Poppy: deal!
DutchBitch: awwww
On a Limb with Claudia: OK, I’m glad I’m not the only one that noticed the significance of this whole changing license thing!
Amy:
Lynda: way to beat the man!
Cissa: yeah, I know - but that only works once you have a Florida ID.
Marissa: Holy Crap! :Lmao:
Stephanie: damn you tall model like women!
Freelanceguru: well, not my nationality - but, ya know…
themuttprincess: absolutely!
Trishk: which reminds me… I need to renew my tags…
Tense Teacher: awwwwww - thank you.
Rachel: I find a lot of people have to spend a few minutes hating me before they can really move on with their day.
maggie, dammit: deepness!
sizzle: the picture I’m OK with. It’s the first DMV photo I’ve ever taken that actually some what resembles me.
Y2K Survivor: so you’re an old, shrinking giant?
March 27th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hey I never said I was old! I said I was growing older and in time (as in a LONG FREAKIN TIME!) we would be the same height. Sheeesh. While in my prime and still under 50 years aged, there is no shrinkage, droopage, droppage or loss of bladder control.
Yet
… as far as you know
March 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
As someone who would eventually like to not live in Iowa in her lifetime: do you miss it? If so, what do you miss about it?
Captain Steve’s last blog post..Damned if you do and damned if you don’t
March 27th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Y2K Survivor: I have ALL of that!
Captain Steve: honestly?
I don’t.
I miss my family and my friends. But… no. I really don’t miss Iowa itself.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
You are a Florida cutie. I understand about saying goodbye to part of your old life, though. It’s hard.
Selma’s last blog post..The Evening Tide
March 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm