Emily: The name Emily in Latin is loosely associated with being industrious; striving. My parents did not know that at the time, because they chose to not know the gender of of their first born until I was born. My parents still expected a boy, they were almost certain I would be a boy. My mother and father decided on the names Luke and Andrew, they would have called me Drew for short. My mother and father briefly discussed girl names. My dad suggested Penelope, my mother hated it. She liked the name Emily, but not much thought went into it. After 12 hours of labor and a baby girl being brought into the world, my mom decided on Emily, immediately rejected Penelope, maybe out of post pregnancy rage or common sense.
Ray: My grandma on my mom's side uncle was Emmanuel Radnitzky (Man Ray). Man Ray was a photographer who spent most of his life contributing to the Dada and Surrealist Movement. My grandma adored him, and he was a big influence on her passion for the arts. My grandmother was a fantastic dancer, and her parents sort of brushed it off, but her uncle loved that she was into the arts. My grandma passed the love and passion for the arts down to me. Needless to say, my parents had given me the middle name Ray.
Bellissimo: Bellissimo has been in the dad's side for a very long time. It is a very traditional Italian name. Bellissimo is translated to "most beautiful" in English. My last name wasn't really chosen, it's my parent's last name so now it is mine as well. My name has a lot meaning to me. It may sound like a weird cluster of names, but I represent an artist and an entire culture my great grandparents had to leave behind.
Ray: My grandma on my mom's side uncle was Emmanuel Radnitzky (Man Ray). Man Ray was a photographer who spent most of his life contributing to the Dada and Surrealist Movement. My grandma adored him, and he was a big influence on her passion for the arts. My grandmother was a fantastic dancer, and her parents sort of brushed it off, but her uncle loved that she was into the arts. My grandma passed the love and passion for the arts down to me. Needless to say, my parents had given me the middle name Ray.
Bellissimo: Bellissimo has been in the dad's side for a very long time. It is a very traditional Italian name. Bellissimo is translated to "most beautiful" in English. My last name wasn't really chosen, it's my parent's last name so now it is mine as well. My name has a lot meaning to me. It may sound like a weird cluster of names, but I represent an artist and an entire culture my great grandparents had to leave behind.