i really enjoyed reading this… not quite the same, but on my father’s side- every other generation had girls, so my grandmother was on the verge of being the last Hirata. lucky for her, my grandfather willingly took her name (1930's-40's?, Japan) and my dad’s family remained Hirata. i’m now in the generation where he and his siblings all had girls and i’m the last one standing single. i always thought it was such a beautiful gesture of love for my grandfather to do so.. now i find myself hoping something similar would be done for me.

anyway, thanks.