“Brenda Leigh’s Coming on Strong”

“The radio’s playing some forgotten song

  Brenda Lee’s coming on strong

  The road’s got me hypnotized

  And I’m speeding into a new sunrise

  When I get lonely, and I’m sure I’ve had enough

  She sends her comfort, comin’ in from above

  Don’t need no letter at all

  We’ve got this thing that’s called radar love

  We’ve got this line in the sky, radar love…”

[http://youtu.be/iAvrBsp_ULU]

Music blasts through the speaker’s as a wild 18-year-old dances around his bedroom playing his air guitar vigorously to the blaring notes from the song, “Radar Love” by the Dutch band, Golden Earring.

This rock star wanna-be is none other than my very own father, Kevin Rohn. When my dad was in high school, “Radar Love” filled his high-school days, sparking his interest in playing electric guitar, capturing my dad’s love of Rock-n-Roll. Surprisingly enough, my dad’s attachment to the rock song “Radar Love” stuck with him way beyond his high school days, serving as his inspiration to name his baby girl, Brenda Leigh, just ten years later.

At 28-years-old, my parents were expecting their second child: a baby girl. During my mom’s pregnancy, my parents would often play music in the evenings to relax after a long day. Due to my dad’s bold nature and his deep love for Rock-n-Roll, these songs were usually rock songs instead of soft, mellow, comforting melodies, however. Most generally, they were songs from my parents’ high school years, back when they fell in love.

On such a night, my dad selected the song “Radar Love.” As the music blared loud guitar streaks and screeching lyrics, my dad abruptly turned the music down after the lyrics “Brenda Lee’s coming on strong” streamed from the speakers.

Turning to my mom, he stated, “I think we should name our daughter Brenda Lee. Don’t you think it is a pretty name?” he asked. “It just has a special ring to it.”

My mom, wondering if he really was serious about selecting their baby’s name from a Rock-n-Roll song, replied, “I was hoping to name her Briana.”

At the sound of this name, my dad scrunched up his nose in disgust, “It is far too girly and prissy. Now Brenda Lee just flows in such a gentle, tender way.”

Lost in thought for a moment, my mom thought about the suggested name and the more she said the name aloud, the more she could hear the ease and beauty of the name. With excitement in her voice, she stated, “I think we just found the name for our new baby girl.” My dad hugged her with great joy and excitement.

After the bonding moment, my mom parted. Looking at my dad, she suggested, “Seeing as you got to pick the name, I get to choose the way it is spelled and I think we should spell her middle name ‘Leigh’ not ‘Lee’ because ‘Lee’ is too masculine and ‘Leigh’ looks more girly and delicate.” Since aesthetics are not really a man’s forte, my dad willingly accepted the proposed spelling, thus, declaring their second daughter’s name as Brenda Leigh Rohn.

As the daughter in mention, I have always cherished my name, Brenda Leigh Rohn, and I agree with the gentle, nature of the name and the way it flows from one’s lips. Personally, I feel the name suits me well as I am a kind, compassionate, affectionate person and I would never dream of changing my name, let alone imagine myself as a “Briana.” All I can say is thank goodness for the song, “Radar Love.”