Acknowledgments

Where to start? So many kind folks were a great help to me in writing this book—soooo many.

Thank you, then, to the following incredible human beings, guiding lights each one:

Wendy McClure: Thank you being a pioneer in the literary memoir genre (is it now a genre?) with your stellar book The Wilder Life. Reading it gave me the spark: What could I do with MY favorite heroine? Thanks forever for plowing new ground.

Tim Smith, bookseller extraordinaire and adoptive father, for having coffee with me that February day and showing obvious enthusiasm for this book idea over the others.

Andrea Visser-Bult, PEI native and adoptee, for your unbelievable sermon on God’s adoption of us. I sprinkled your wisdom all over this book.

Carissa Woodwyk, for your wisdom, which I found online in a video called Listen, is also scattered like good seed throughout these pages.

Pastor David Beelen, for always showing his sheep at Madison Square Church the fatherly love God has for us and for caring deeply about adoption.

To my new friends at Tyndale, I’m so thankful we found one another. Publishing a book with you for the first time has been a joy and a concern—you guys make me bring my best game! Hearty thanks to Jan Long Harris, Beth Vargas, Sharon Leavitt, Cassidy Gage, Nancy Clausen, Todd Starowitz, and the whole clamjamfry (as Maud would say). Marketing and publicity team: I haven’t worked much with you yet, but I just know you guys are going to be brilliant!

A special note of gratitude to Stephen Vosloo and his crackerjack team of artists and designers. Your work on this cover elevates the whole book. I adore it!

Jillian VandeWege, you are adorable, fun, and so talented. I have my eyes peeled. You know what I mean. (Clue: Gobble, gobble . . . )

Kim Miller, thank you and sweet-banana-pepper blessings on your head for being a genius and knowing when to nip or tuck, add or subtract. Your help in shaping this book was absolutely essential—and so appreciated.

Sarah Atkinson, you are the editor I prayed for, the one who got it immediately. Thank you for going to bat for three card-carrying castaways and for your stalwart support through this book expedition. My prose and storytelling are enriched because of working with you and Kim. You are the wind beneath my wings. But seriously, you kinda are. Are you feeling all the feels?

To my literary agent, Esther Fedorkevich, Ukrainian girls rule the world. We all know that. And you rule the book world, my fireball friend. Thank you for believing in me, my writing, and this idea and for coming through like a top-drawer slap shot in overtime of game seven. (And thanks to Layce for her help with the proposal!)

To Twila Bennett, for being so supportive and encouraging, even though you work for another publisher. Thanks for being willing to help and cheer, always.

To bosom friends like Sheri Rodriguez, who always cheered me on every step of the way, and to Kim Sorelle, for getting us crazy-cheap tickets to the island and for our unforgettable days together in the yellow Fiat on PEI.

Speaking of PEI, I must thank Isabel MacDougall and Claudette MacDonald from Tourism PEI for their gracious and much-appreciated assistance over the course of two trips to the Gentle Island. Also, my gratitude to Shelly Nowak of Canada Post and Cassandra McKinnon of Parks Canada for your help.

To PEI friends Chanel Campbell and Alice VanderZwaag, for welcoming this woman from away to the most beautiful place on earth!

Pamela Campbell, thank you for opening up Silver Bush for us, for allowing us free reign, and for your keen insights into Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Jennie Macneill, thank you for welcoming us into your warm and cozy home on a blustery PEI night. I am more grateful than you know for you opening your heart and telling me about the real Maud, her life, and her funeral. Your insights and wisdom are everywhere in this book.

To The Guild: Alison Hodgson, Angela Blyker, Ann Byle, Cynthia Beach, Sharron Carrns, Shelly Beach, and Tracy Groot, there is no possible way I could have written this book without each one of you. We all know what it’s like to traverse this writing life, with its plummy peaks and ghastly desert valleys. You guys were with me in the desert, and for that you have my eternal love and thanks. You are essential to me, and I thank God for His good and perfect gift of our nutty, loving tribe of scribblers.

To David Beach, “Man Guilder.” You give birth fathers a good name and show what can happen when a father opens his heart. Thank you for your acute insights into my own birth father and, really, what lies beneath the surface of why fathers renounce their children.

Thank you to my birth mother for stepping up for me many years ago in a very difficult situation. Your bravery gave me life, and for that I will always be grateful.

To my darling mum, Linda Reimer. I love you with all my heart, and I’m so thankful God chose you to be my forever mum. Thank you for your unconditional love and for swiping me from the hospital, even though you didn’t have permission!

To Doyle, Jonah, Ezra, and Phoebe: You are my heart. Everything I do, I do it for you. I know, it’s a Bryan Adams lyric. But so, so true.

Soli Deo Gloria. Glory to God alone.