Is it the same email you have linked to your Apple ID?

“If you sign in with your Apple ID on your device, you will be signed in to iMessage automatically. Your Apple ID or phone numbers will be shown to the people you contact, and people can reach you using your Apple ID and email addresses or phone numbers on your account. You can select which phone numbers or email addresses you’d like to start new conversations from, and which phone numbers or email addresses you can receive messages and reply from, in iMessage settings.”

@cheebdragon Thanks! GA! I just saw that friend and we got it sorted out exactly as you said. I had to uncheck the box with my linked older email.