~~~
Day’s Verse:
But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It’s from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing.
Matthew 15:~18
~~~

According to this Name Frequency calculator, which uses US Census data to predict the likelihood of somebody else having my same first and last name, there is a 1 in 884 chance of somebody else in America being named Katie Ferguson. I accept that my name isn’t one-of-a-kind, and I’m actually happy with that. People can usually spell and pronounce my name right, for which I am truly grateful. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for not naming me Sunshine, or Mahkayleah, or Dakotah, or Sinead, or Egwynne, or something equally horrible unique (although such names do provide good, wholesome entertainment thanks to the Bad Baby Names site).

That said, though, emails for Other Katie Fergusons have started getting out of hand. I have previously mentioned The Other Katie, but not long after my blog post, the emails died down. Then suddenly around September I started getting bombarded with emails for other Katies: One for a Katie who lives in Chicago and ordered clothes from Lane Bryant; an unnerving number from a man in Alabama who initially sent me an email by accident and now has continued intentionally sending me emails, knowing I’m not the Katie Ferguson he knows; and, most of all, I’ve gotten a veritable flood of emails about weddings, bridal showers, and all aspects of the marriage ceremony from places all around Atlanta. Here’s a sampling of subject lines for Other Katie emails I’ve received lately:

• [AtlantaBridal.com] Special Invitation and Complimentary VIP Upgrade
• The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead Wedding Information
• StudioWed Weddiing Workshop Series
• Dreamy Gelato & Chocolates Truffles & Gelato
• An Evening of Bridal Luxury
• Best Wishes from Heidi Elnora!
• Jenn Fraser Linke invited you to the event “Bridal Open House” [Note: I did not reply to the invitation, although I was sorely tempted to say yes, and I’m bringing 10 guests!]

And, for your amusement, here are some emails from the overly friendly (to put the nicest possible spin on it) Alabama guy:

HIM (October 1, 2009): Hi Katie. I hope you have been doing well.

X [Name omitted]

ME (after wracking my brains to see if I knew anybody with that name) (October 1, 2009): Sorry, I think you have the wrong Katie Ferguson.

Katie Ferguson
Marlborough, MA [I include this so they know it really is some other Katie]

HIM (October 1, 2009): I am so sorry. Hope I didn’t bother you.

X
Mobile, Al.

At this point, I think our conversation is over. Then, later that day, I receive the following email:

HIM (October 1, 2009): By the way, how is the weather in MA ?

It has really cooled off in Mobile.
It’s actually been in the 60’s at night.

X
Mobile, Al.

I decide to be friendly and reply:

ME (October 1, 2009): It’s downright cold – 40 this morning, highs in the mid 50s to low 60s. Trees are all changing colors very prettily, though.

HIM (October 1, 2009): Yes, I can’t wait until the trees start changing colors down here.
Our highs have been in the low 80’s with low humidity. Perfect for
us.

Thanks for the email.

X

After that, I expect never to hear from Mr. X again. Little did I expect to receive four more emails from him within the next week or so:

1. October 1, 2009: Mrs. Ferguson:

   Take care.

   X

2. October 2, 2009: I hope you have a good weekend.

   X

3. October 2, 2009: My apology if I have bothered you.
4. October 8, 2009: Good morning. The weather here is hot and muggy with temps climbing to 90 today. When is fall going to be
   here ? Hope the weather where you are is nicer.

I continue to not reply, but my astonishment at still receiving chatty, familiar emails from a total stranger — who knows I’m a stranger! — remains unabated. Expect more Other Katie email-related blog posts in the future. I just keep waiting for somebody to send me something good, like a credit card number along with their mailing addresses. I now have two other Katie Fergusons full mailing addresses, thanks to their ordering products online and putting my email instead of theirs in.

Is there etiquette on how to deal with mistaken identity?