The Theory of Opposites (32 page)

But this is a section for thank-yous, so in no particular order, here goes:

Thank you to Richard Chandler, who recently friended me on Facebook. I accepted his request. Que sera sera, you know?

Thank you to Kylie Chandler-Brackton, who was born after twenty hours of excruciating labor (in which I abandoned any belief in God), and then started sleeping through the night at eight weeks (in which I started believing again) and is sometimes so close to heaven, that she almost convinces both Vanessa and me of serendipity.

Thank you to Raina Chandler-Farley, who is guts personified, and also, to her husband, Jeremy, who has proven to be a surprisingly excellent occasional emergency babysitter. (Who knew?)

Thank you to Ollie, who challenged me to discover conviction but who also taught me about inner peace. It turns out I was doing the whole breathing thing wrong.

Thank you to Theodore Brackton, for finding me on Facebook and changing everything.

Thank you to my mother, who told me that changing everything isn’t the end of the world.

Thank you to Nicky, who waited for me on a deserted mountain because he knew that I wouldn’t quit.

Guts.

Live free or die.

What’s next?

We’re ready.

Acknowledgments

The general rule is that the more books you write, the shorter your acknowledgments should be. (Cool factor and all of that.) But I have a lot of people to be thankful for, people who encouraged me to write this book and to hold steady in my path and to, at the risk of repeating myself, follow my own map. I’m so fortunate to have been touched by their kindness and advice and counsel and just general goodness. So I’m ignoring convention.

Here goes:

Elisabeth Weed: how lucky am I to have you as my partner in crime? Eight years later, I still love you as much as when I said I do.

Laura Dave: you remain ever so wise and wonderful.

Allie Larkin and Claire Cook: what an ambitious, supportive trio we have made. Thanks, ladies.

Jon Cassir, Jessica Jones, Jenny Meyer, Jennifer Garner, Juliana Janes Joudi, Liz Pearsons: it’s an embarrassment of riches to work with you all.

Robin Beerbower, Liz Egan, Kimberly Hitchens, Jess Riley, Michelle Visser, you guys as well. You went out of your way for me for no reason other than your immense generosity. Leslie Wells, thank you for such insightful editorial advice. Jennifer O’Connor, thank you for a brilliant cover.

Unconditional and devoted thanks to my mom, who proofread this manuscript with a red pen and unrelenting eye more times than even a mother (well, really anyone) should have had to. And to my dad, who read an early draft and called me to announce that I’d “written
The
Catcher in the Rye
of my generation.” What more could a daughter ask for?

My kids and husband, who are always my Point North, and also my sun and moon and stars.

And you guys: the readers. There was a time not too long ago when I, much like Willa, sat on my figurative mountain and thought I should quit. You all sustained me; you all reminded me why I love what I do; you all encouraged me – whether you realized it or not – to take a left when it might have been wiser to take a right. I’m grateful; I’m indebted; I’m so very fortunate. Who knows if we make our own luck or if everything is truly meant-to-be. But no matter what, I’m damn appreciative of where the universe has landed me. Thanks to all, for all, for everything.