With Sugar On Top

I went through the drive-through at McDonald's the other day for a burger. I don't eat much red meat anymore so this was a treat, even though I'm not sure it really counts as red meat. When I placed my order, the cashier finished with "Anything else for you, hon?"
I grimmaced and smiled at the same time. I could tell by listening this woman was younger than I, and I don't know a soul that works there, yet she called me a name I thought was typically bestowed upon a loved one.
I didn't grow up with pet names. Our given names were twisted, shortened, and skewed, but I don't recall ever being Hon, Honey, Sugar or Sweetie. Melissa Ann became Melissa Sue, Missi Sue, Missi, and just plain Miss. My sister Rhonda became Rhon or Rhonnie. Or Rotunda if I felt onery.
My brother Eddy was BumBum for awhile, but other than that, just plain Eddy.
When I had my children, I purposely chose names that couldn't be nicknamed or teased with on the school front. At home, my girls became Silly Goose, Fred, Layne the Pain (yes, I chose to inflict the teasing I was so worried about), Ashpit, etc. No Hons from me.
It could be regional I suppose. I grew up in Wyoming and now I live in the deep south. I hear a lot of super-sweet names. I like hearing it but I feel its reserved for younger children. I feel certain this is probably MY hangup and no one elses.
I know I'm sweet - I've been called that often since moving here. I suppose since Hon is short for Honey, it's another denoting factor of just how sweet I am. Even my doctor has called me Sweetie before.
I suppose I should get used to it. I mean, I must be sweet if everyone in Georgia knows it. It's just the way things are down here. Hot muggy days heavy with the scent of honeysuckle. Lazy afternoons spent drinking mint juleps and working hard trying to stay cool.
And I could get used to it, if I had someone I loved whisper it in my ear, or I could change my name to Honey and then everyone would be forced to call me that on a daily basis.
Life is sweet.