There is a scene at the end of the movie Tombstone where Wyatt Earp’s character says all he ever wanted was “just to live a normal life.” And Val Kilmer’s character Doc replies, “There is no normal life . . . It’s just life. Get on with it.”
My life has not been “normal.” No one’s is. But I wouldn’t have been able to “get on with it” without the following people:
Steve Troha, my fearless book agent, for being wind beneath this Super Woman’s cape. You have been my champion when others haven’t. I thought we were going to stop at one book baby, but look at the family we have created together. I couldn’t have birthed the one book—let alone three—without you as a partner.
Glenn Yeffeth, the visionary of BenBella, for making me a partnership offer I couldn’t refuse. You are the CEO every company should have: patient, tough, and fair at the right times. You have innovated in an industry that doesn’t see a lot of it. I am glad I was smart enough to say “yes” to working with you and lucky to be part of your vision.
The entire (all female!) BenBella team—including Alexa, Leah, Adrienne, Sarah, Jennifer, Monica, and Alicia—for being rockstars in your respective areas. You listened to every one of my crazy ideas, and you believed in me and them more than they merited at times. You took risks that many wouldn’t and chances that most couldn’t, always leading with passion over fear. I am so proud to be part of a team of such Super Women.
Jared Greenwald, my super agent, for hustling like no other. You are fierce and fiercely loyal. You are “fully transparent” about everything including your love for that phrase and me. And to be fully transparent back: the feeling is mutual. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side, as my protector and friend, for the adventures (and misadventures) we’ve gotten into.
Megan Nelson, my marketing queen, for reading my mind and translating it for the world better than I ever can. You are multi-talented in ways that make my head hurt to think about. I can’t wait for us to continue to disrupt this industry one GIF at a time—and have a crazy amount of fun doing it.
Sabrina Andersen, my web wizardress, for putting up with me for more than a decade. Your creativity and work ethic are ridiculously strong but nothing compared to the strength in your conviction to always have my back. I trust you with my life (and my passwords, which is basically the same thing).
Elizabeth, Caroline and Tim Stephen, my found family, for treating me as if I were your own. There’s no tribe I would rather be part of and no other Thanksgiving table I would rather sit at. Your genuine warmth, support and dependability continue to amaze me. We might not have the same blood, but we are made up of the same moral DNA and that bond is stronger.
Deanna Siller, for always being ready, bag packed, for an adventure. If “woman’s woman” were in the dictionary, your picture would be next to it. You are my unbiological sister. I’m not sure which one of us is “dis girl” or “dat girl” but I’ll always be whatever girl you need me to be.
Kristy Reed, for listening to me talk in circles about the same thing for hours or days or years and responding with the same sincere Southern sweetness as if it was the first time you were hearing it. You are the only woman I’ve ever picked up at a bar. Since then, I’ve loved dancing on them and raising them together.
Sarah Zurell, for always having the right song to play, meme to send, activity to do or comfort food to eat to remind me that “it’s gonna be okay.” Well, babe, it’s gonna be okay. And if it’s not okay, I’ll ride with you until it is.
Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, for always having the right nugget of wisdom for every occasion. I’ll never know how or why you always answer my call no matter what you have going on to listen to my ramblings and care about my issues as if they were your own. But I’ll stop wondering and just keep answering any time you need the same.
Stephanie Abrams, for your compassion, advice and super-long, spot-on motivational texts when I need them most. You have covered countless storms but still have the bandwidth to be shelter in mine and for that I could not be more thankful.
Ellen London, for being the “vegan mac and cheese in my fridge” that I didn’t know I needed after that shitty hospital food. You have always been my hero when I couldn’t be my own. You have picked me up more than I deserve, been there for me when no one else has and loved me even when I was convinced that I was unlovable. Thank you for being my rock at rock bottom.
A special shout-out to the other Super Women who have helped my cape fly high: Meghan Asha, Rhona Banaquid, Dominique Broadway, Chloe Coscarelli, Liz Dee, Tracy DiNunzio, Lavinia Errico, Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Kate Garrison, Michelle Gielan, Jessica Gordon, Jennifer Grey, Lena Hall, Hilary Hanson, Jami Kandel, Alex Kopp, Aliza Licht, Tatiana Logan, Christie Marchese, Johnanna Murphy, Lauren Nowell, Daphne Oz, Lisa Oz, Meredith Rollins, Lindsay Samakow, Shachar Scott, Taryn Southern, Paula Sutter, Jaclyn Trop, Baya Voce, Rachel Winnikates, Jessica Yankelunas, Randi Zuckerberg.
To anyone who has ever hurt me—exes, family, former friends—I forgive you and I honor you for making me the person I am today.
And, finally, to myself, whom I wouldn’t even have thought to acknowledge before writing this book. I’m proud of you for not just making it through hell but for walking out of the flames carrying buckets of water for those still consumed by the fire. You are stronger than you think and braver than you know. Thank you for trying, for failing, and for always sticking with your lifelong pursuit of happiness. Thank you for being my hero when I needed you most.