ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I started Subway Therapy because I felt immeasurably lucky to have friends and family who supported me. It would be impossible to express in words how grateful I am for them, and I feel so overwhelmed by their support and love that I have made it my mission in life to support others in the same way.

First, I must thank my entire family for giving me the love I needed to thrive and pursue my passions. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for providing me with the opportunity and means to shape myself into the person I am today.

Since I moved to New York I have owed a debt of gratitude to my friend and aunt, Laura Holson. Without your sound advice and support this project wouldn’t have grown like it did. You inspire me to be my best, and I am filled with wonderful ideas after our conversations.

There probably isn’t much I haven’t already said to my friends, but I must say thank you again to the people that made the weight of Subway Therapy easier to carry. Thank you, Dominic Pody, Aaron Cohen, Lily Arbisser, Cathianna Bartolomeo, Charlene Wang, Gabrielle Williams, Nate Blevins, Shannon Hayes, Trish Lipscomb, and Dalton Weeks.

At Foundry Literary and Media, I’m eternally grateful to Yfat Reiss Gendell for being the best agent imaginable, and to Jessica Felleman, who is one of the most hardworking people I have ever met. And to the individuals who work behind the scenes, thank you, Sara DeNobrega, Colette Grecco, Kirsten Neuhaus, and Heidi Gall. The obstacles that you helped me overcome were impossible for me to see before they came, and I am relieved to have such a talented and inventive team by my side.

To the staff at the Topaz, I can’t tell you how important it was that you supported me when I needed to be in the subway instead of behind the bar. Thank you, Brandon Davey, Logan Price, James Angelos, Jeremiah Neal, Diego Garcia, Bruno Daniel, Rutger Mckenna, and Anwar Nunez.

From the beginning, Bloomsbury Publishing has been incredible to work with. Nancy Miller, thank you for helping me shape my ideas into reality. Your passion and dedication to the book and my work inspire me to do more. I presented the art department with an interesting challenge. As a medium, sticky notes aren’t the easiest to work with, but Patti Ratchford and Katya Mezhibovskaya were able to bring them to life in print. It has also been a pleasure to work with Callie Garnett, Laura Phillips, Marie Coolman, Sarah New, Rayshma Arjune, Cristina Gilbert, Laura Keefe, Nicole Jarvis, Cindy Loh, Grace McNamee, Jennifer Kelaher, and at Macmillan, Eve Fitzgerald.

The people who work at the MTA in New York rarely get the credit they deserve, but I respect them so much, and they supported free expression and fostered a connection with the community in a time when they needed it most.

Adam Shorr, you are my best friend, and when I needed help the most with Subway Therapy you were there. You brought sticky notes on day one when I ran out, answered e-mails, edited my words, carried heavy tables, listened to hours of terrible buskers, and in general kept me going when I would have otherwise burnt out. You have always been someone who has kept me on the right track, and because of your guidance and friendship, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to the strangers and volunteers who contributed in some way by donating sticky notes, spending time, bringing me food, or walking with me when I had too much to carry by myself. I may not remember all of your names, but I’ll never forget that when I needed something you were there for me, and you had no reason to do that.

Thank you for helping me to help others.