Powerful small things

"Enjoy the small things. They give you strength to endure the tough ones."

Rosie Vidovix 

Rose with no Surname

"I’m Rose… Rose with No Surname."

Yes, you heard that right. Apparently, I’ve managed to confuse not just the government but possibly the entire British administrative system.

It all started simply enough. I was born Rose Vidovix, adventurous Brazilian with a mysterious flair. Then I got married and became Rose Unsworth, very proper, very English, sounds like someone who drinks Earl Grey while apologizing for existing.

Then I got divorced.

Ah, freedom! I thought I’d merge the two, Rosie Vidovix Unsworth, a bit cosmopolitan, a bit mixed, a bit “I can’t quite let go but I’m trying.”

But recently, I decided to drop the Unsworth entirely and reclaim my maiden name. Simple, right?

Wrong.

Oh boy… if I knew then what I know now.

In the UK, getting a passport is usually simple: fill out a form, pay a ridiculous fee, and voilà, you get your passport. Sometimes on the same day!

But not if you’ve dared, dared, to change your name.

Then it becomes a bureaucratic treasure hunt.

“Miss, we’ll need a bank statement or a utility bill in your new name,” they said.

“Here it is!” I replied proudly, after weeks of convincing the bank to change my name without a passport to prove it, because I need the passport to prove it, but can’t get the passport until I’ve proved it!

Then they said, “We also need your Deed Poll.”

“Oh, I sent that!”

Except… apparently, I didn’t.

So now, I’ve sent another Deed Poll, and the Passport Office still hasn’t replied. So here I am, existing somewhere between identities.

People ask me, “What is your name?”

And honestly… I don’t know.

Because if the Passport Office approves my request, I’m Rose Vidovix.

If not, I’m Rose Unsworth.

Who am I?

I’m not Miss Vidovix, not Mrs Unsworth…

I am Rose No Name.

A woman so mysterious, even the Home Office doesn’t know who she is.