When I pick up a book, I often turn straight to the acknowledgments before I start the first chapter. There’s always been something special about these pages—a peek behind the curtain, which reveals all the people who made it possible. This book in particular has been a manifestation of friendship, not only in topic but also in how it came to be.
First, to my agent, Rach Crawford, thank you for seeing what I hoped to achieve with this book, often more clearly than I could.
To my editor, Batya Rosenblum, thank you for your vision and for being a joy to work with. And to the team at The Experiment: Matthew Lore, Besse Lynch, Zach Pace, Ann J. Kirschner, and Juli Barbato.
Gina Rushton, this book wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for celebrating every interview, chapter and tiny win as if they were your own. Jenna Whyte, thank you for being my cheerleader, confidante, and the most joyful person to walk laps of Sydney Park with. Bess Murphy, thank you for a friendship that feels like home. Julia Naughton, thank you for always being a voice of reason. Tim Bussink, my oldest and most loyal friend. Who would I be without you?
Thank you to my wildly generous and intelligent friends who gave feedback on my early chapters: Haley Nahman, Mallory Rice, Lane Sainty, and Rob Stott. This book is so much better because of you.
To Mum, everything I have been lucky enough to do and achieve is all thanks to you. To my sister, Yasmin, thank you for your constant reassurance and love. And to Remy, Yuri, and Tommy, I love you all to bits. To Dad, thank you for making me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to. And to Doreen and Rob Conroy, thank you for your care and encouragement. Thank you to sweet Paddington, the perfect writing companion.
To the people who remind me every day why friendship matters so much: Jessica Bailey, Blaze Coops, Kate Holden, Louise Khong, Leda Ross, Erin Van Der Meer, Dani Pinkus, Sarah Macrae, Rachel Wilkerson Miller, Kiyana Salkeld, Terri Pous, Tom Vellner, Nikitah Habraken, Mark Scott, and many more. What did I do to deserve you all?
A heartfelt thank-you to every person who trusted me with their story, I hope I have done you and your friendships justice.
And finally, to Michael Conroy, whom I will never be able to thank enough. You are impossibly kind, patient, and thoughtful. Every day with you is better than the last. I love you.