There is something about another person saying, remembering, or knowing our name that makes us feel seen and loved. I have always loved my name, but only in the past year have I become aware of the impact of hearing and seeing my name. I work as a director of preschool. At the preschool level, all of the staff members are called by Mr. or Ms. followed by their first name. Every day, multiple times a day, the students greet me with a chorus of “Hello Ms. Addie”. When I returned from work after a trip last summer, one of the little girls said, “Ms. Addie, I missed you.” Adding a name to the sentiment or greeting changes the effect. This fall one of the preschoolers with a speech delay learned to say my name. Now he says it proudly as often as he can.”Bye Addie!” Even this small child understands the importance and delights in using someone’s name. On reflecting on why hearing my name brings me so much joy, I realized that it goes even deeper than just the sweetness of children. I think at some level we are all starved for hearing and seeing our name. We are in a crisis of rarely feeling known and seen by anyone in our culture. When someone addresses a card or gift to us, mentions our name in a speech, greets us by name, it points to the deeper truth that we are chosen, unique, and loved. Our parents gave us an individualized name that sets us apart from those around us. One of my friends always greets me with my first and last name. I always leave her presence feeling so seen and appreciated. It fills me with gratitude that my carefully chosen name belongs only to me. Hearing and seeing that name points me to the Creator who knows and calls me by name. When we intentionally use a person’s name we take part in that beautiful gift that God put into being.