I’d like to thank the following people: my family—my mom for making me love books, and my dad for giving me his sense of humor. My husband, Jake, who listened to me read every single one of these chapters at their earliest stages. Without his encouragement and support and love this book could not have happened. Amelia Atlas for her passion and hard work to find this book the most perfect home. Her vision has been spot-on from the get-go. I’d also like to thank everyone at Knopf for their phenomenal work and support, especially Jennifer Kurdyla for her keen eye and for helping make my book as beautiful as possible, and Margaux Weisman for her contagious enthusiasm and dedication. Thank you to Steve Yarbrough, who worked with me many years ago when this book was just a vision. Marti Leimbach for her encouragement and consistent wisdom. Gail Mooney and Dona Cady for being fantastic mentors and friends. Every dear woman in my life whose love and heartbreak was the inspiration for this book. And finally, I’d like to give a special thanks to Mr. David Lambert, my fourth-grade teacher. He told me I was a good writer and it changed my life.