i kept it for a few reasons
1. its a great, very common name. a girl who graduated from my school had the same one and people always asked if we were related.
2. i like my family, i enjoy having the same last name as them. plus i didn't want to upset them.
3. my initials are PS which i enjoy because it suits me.

the only reason to change it would be to distance my current self from my previous self.

I wondered about this, and it's kind of double-sided seeing others who feel the same way, just because I know the pain/irksome feelings: I will not be keeping my last name. My dad left when I was five, and I haven't really seen or heard from him since, so as far as I'm concern, I have no ties with this man or his family. To keep his last name would be some sort of honor to him and he's not worth it. I may take my mother's maiden name or find something that'll fit. We'll see when the paperwork is filled.