This book began as a way to address one issue and turned into something that I think and hope reflects numerous experiences that are familiar to many of us. It was hard to relive and share many of these memories. I have gone back and forth about whether I am revealing too much and being too open, and I have asked myself if that helps anyone. I ended up telling myself that while these are the details of my life everyone goes through similar things. I think sharing makes us feel less alone during the hardest of times and reminds us that the joy and happiness that make for best of times are the little things that we have to make a priority.
I think it helps to open up a book and find tips and advice and hear someone else say, “I don’t have it all together but I’m doing my best and you can, too.” And I really find it beneficial to know that people are on the sidelines rooting for me. And that is the way I think of you. I have been so privileged over my long career, now spanning almost fifty years; and the biggest gift has been you—and all the nice people who have grown up with me and feel like they know me. I want to say thank you for watching and reading and sending messages, and I want to let you know that I appreciate it and send the love and support right back to you. We are in this together and that is ultimately why I went ahead with this book. It’s for all of us.
One idea that didn’t change was my desire to write a book composed of numerous stories that could be opened and read at any point and that has familiar threads stitched throughout that will eventually get you, the reader, through it the same way I got through it. It was difficult to live and equally difficult to write, but in the end, I feel like I was able to say a few things that are always worth saying: People are beautiful from the inside out. Nobody is perfect. Kindness and forgiveness clear the skies, feed our souls, and help us sleep soundly. Life is precious. Don’t waste it.
All of us know that living life is a group effort and writing a book like this is no different. I have so many people to thank, starting with my friend and frequent collaborator Todd, who sat with me for months during Covid, in our own little pod, and helped with this book. I appreciate how much we can get done when all we are doing is sitting in front of our laptops and talking to each other.
I want to thank my editor, Karen Murgolo, and publishers Deb Brody and Liate Stehlik, Jacqueline Quirk, Jennifer Freilach, Sara Alexander, Andrea DeWerd, and everyone at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (now HarperCollins) for believing I had something to say and helping to get this labor of love to the finish line. Similarly, I want to thank my literary agents Dan Strone and Tess Weitzner of Trident Media Group, for helping yet again find my latest book—and me—the right home. A similarly big thank you to my longtime publicist, Jill Fritzo. And Zachary Bradshaw, who so kindly keeps my life in order. Marc Schwartz and Jack Grossbart are two special men who have been in my life professionally and personally for decades. They want the best for me, they have done their best for me, and they always have my best interests in mind. I may not say it enough but thank you.
I also need to acknowledge and thank everyone at the Today show, the producers behind the scenes and my friends in front of the camera. All of you started this journey that I didn’t even realize I needed to be on. Angie Johnsey and Melissa Brohner-Schneider, you showed me the path and how to stay on it.
As all of us know, the kitchen is where the good stuff happens and gets discussed, and that is so true on Valerie’s Home Cooking. I am immensely grateful to Mary Beth, Sophie, Lindsey, Susan, Pete, and the whole VHC crew—too numerous to name individually but all very much in my heart. Thank you. On the personal side, I want to express my adoration of the Vitale family. Robin, girl, you keep me sane. Tom, the time that I spent with you, that we spent together, helped me on the journey to who I am today. Thank you. My family, God, I love you guys so much—and that includes you, Andraia, and all the Bertinellis—just love. I can’t say anything more or better. Just love. And the same to my girlfriends, who keep me grounded and happy. Ed, I love you and miss you. And Wolfie, my sweet, sweet boy—I love you to the moon and back. I am one ridiculously proud mama.
And a final message to the rest of the world: Enough already with anything that doesn’t come from love. When we all make decisions based on love, we will be better and kinder.