I walk around the world feeling a constant, invisible force field of support around me, my community, and I channel it into everything that I do. Thanks to my friends and family who empowered me not only in the writing of this book, but in my repeated choice to be myself along the way. I am forever indebted to you. Below are just a handful of many amazing people in my life who I would especially like to recognize.
To my loving family: Stacie Stahl, my sister, whom I will forever miss. You are the person in my family who understood me the most and I am so grateful for all the conversations we had. My dad, Alan Stahl, you are the most entertaining human I have ever met … The most fun parts of me come from you. My mom, Debbie Stahl, thank you for being the ultimate listener. My brother Joshua Stahl, for showing up when it’s inconvenient and no one else will. Robert Stahl, thank you for your nonjudgmental ear, for calling me no matter how much I tell you I’m allergic to the phone, and your depth. My sister-in-law, Andrea Stahl, you are sacred to me.
To my true love, William Haddad, thank you for showing me what right feels like in my heart.
I want to thank the women who I chose as sisters in this lifetime: Nicole Nowparvar, my best friend and travel partner, thank you for helping me edit the pages of this book and for giving me the constant experience of effortless connection. Sarah Anne Stewart, you have become home to me. Thank you for always picking up the phone and rooting for me. Alyssa Nobriga, my lifelong teacher, student, and forever friend, thank you for helping me discover my freedom. Gina DeVee, thank you for your “fabulousness” and your endless help with editing and ideas. We go so many lifetimes back in history together. Our friendship is so unique, profound, and divinely timed. Kenzie Woods, my oldest friend, you weren’t just helping me edit this book, you were helping me stay true to myself. Amanda Bucci, thank you for your pure heart and wisdom. Jessica Winterstern, thank you for reminding me what I am capable of. You are so insightful and I am so grateful for the journey we’ve been on. Natalie Ellis, you lead by example with empowering women. I am so lucky to call you my friend. Sarah Pendrick, our bond is deeper than words. Samantha Skelly, thank you for bringing the crazy fun out in me. Lara Conovaloff, thank you for being the friend who always says “yes” to having fun, and for helping me come up with this book concept. Chelsea Krost, our conversations fill me up and you keep me grounded in such a special way. Brenna Moore, for cheering me on so fully since I was a kid riding the school bus. Elodie Garson-Besançon and Tricia Chan, you both made me into a citizen of the world and expanded my understanding of myself—I love you. Kiera Himsl Fillerup, for being my oldest friend who always gives me full permission to celebrate who I am.
To the men who empower me: Jason Goldberg, thank you for making it safe for me to share my dark and my light, and for your ability to laugh your ass off with me. Barry Griffin, I will never forget our endless late-night conversations in London about our dreams—your support has been a catalyst for mine.
To my writing team: Eric DelaBarre, thank you for your wisdom. Kirsten Trammell over at CAKE Publishing, thank you for helping with copy edits, and giving me feedback. You have so much follow-through and I appreciate it so deeply. Lauren Kinney, your copy edits took this book to another level. Greg Brown, for understanding me, polishing this book, and validating the messages I had to share. Giles Anderson, thank you so much for believing in my book and being my agent. You made this possible for me, and I am forever grateful for the enthusiasm you had when I sent you the proposal. Glenn Yeffeth at BenBella Books for completely supporting my vision and helping me get this out into the world with so much love. Debbi Molnar, thank you for reading the sticky chapters and helping me make sense of them both in my mind and on the page.