A special thank you to Jessica Landers. I can’t begin to articulate what you mean to me. You took on a job as my assistant to make my life easier for nothing more than a paycheck, and yet you do so much more. You’ve become one of my best friends. Hell, your best friend has become one of my best friends. You’re humble, you work hard, you’re self-sufficient, and your loyalty never waivers. I’ve never come across friendship so true and selfless until I met you. Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving me, for your limitless understanding of my flaws and shortcomings, for listening to me, for fangirling at the New Kids on the Block concert with me, for messaging Donnie freaking Wahlberg for me when we thought I couldn’t go, and for--when I email you and request something—not emailing back until your answer is “done.” You are truly my ride or die, and I am definitely the lucky one for landing in your circle. I will never stop saying, “Worth every penny”, because it’s always been true, and it will always be true.

Thank you to Jason Beguin. I couldn’t have finished this book if I hadn’t met you. I wasn’t sure I had it in me to write about love, but you’ve changed everything; not just for me but for all my readers, present and future. You came into my life twenty years after we first met when I wasn’t at my best but was pretending to be. You were completely unexpected and full of smart-ass retorts. From the beginning, you’ve challenged me, you’ve built me up, you’ve reassured me, and you’ve opened my eyes to so many things about myself. Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough, but I’ll try as long as you’ll let me;

To Misty Horn. We’ve known each other a long time, and quite honestly, I don’t deserve you. Thank you for educating me on foster parents and CASA, thank you for helping me move, for driving Jess up, for moving crazy heavy boxes of books and introducing me to your mind-blowing noodles and white sauce. Thank you for what you do for at-risk children every single day. Thank you for being the kind of friend I try to emulate;

To Tyler Vanover, thank you your continued stories and consult on what it means to be a hot shot firefighter, but most importantly, thank you for being one;

To Robin Gowen, from indirectly introducing me to the best man I know to helping me move in, and even helping me bathe my skunked dog. Most of all, thank you for reminding me it’s okay to prioritize wisely, and for your limitless, sound advice.