It Takes a Village

First of all, let me mention that the above GIF was my childhood. From the gospel tones to the choreography, I loved Hercules.

ANYWAY, I have previously mentioned that I would recognize my squad of people in a blog so here we are.

If you have a dream, don't feel that you have to go at it alone. You have amazing people around you who care about you that want to see you succeed.

Luckily for me, my friends are ridiculously talented, encouraging, and caring. From editing multiple drafts of my book and illustrating what will likely be the world's most beautiful book to blindly agreeing to write a foreword for me without reading the entire book, I am incredibly blessed.

Brittany Van Hook. AKA B-Rae. AKA Mom. AKA Britt Britt. AKA Editor-in-Chief.

Since the dawn of our friendship (August 2009), I have genuinely looked up to Brittany. From her unapologetic humor to her ability to be present, Brittany has been a rock for me. Also, she is the absolute queen of DIY concert t-shirts and the biggest Swiftie I know. Believe me, we have been to see Taylor on her last three tours.

During COVID, editing the book has included dropping off and picking up hardcopies from front porches to endless texts and emails. In typical Brittany style, she rolled with the punches and provided all of the red ink pens to scribble out my grammar flaws and suggest changes that have all come together to make my book what it is. You are the wind beneath my pages. Thank you.

Tess Cunningham. AKA Tessacles. AKA Ichabod. AKA Agugugh. AKA Foreword.

When I was five years and 51 weeks old and she was six and two weeks old, we were chosen from our respective classes to sing a duet for our Kindergarten graduation. That is how we met, and the rest is history. It led to us singing as the lead actresses in our senior musical in high school, graduating both high school and college together, and picking up wherever we left off no matter how much time or miles have kept us apart.

Two and a half years ago, I told Tess out of the blue that I was fed up with my misogynistic boss and said that I wanted to write a book. She said she would write the foreword, and I held her to her promise when I sent her the world's roughest draft six months ago. She is the best compliment giver, and her foreword seriously makes me weep. Thank you for your writing. It might be but a small voice, but my goodness is it mighty.

Ashley VanArsdale Parmenter. AKA Monet. AKA VanParm. AKA Ash. AKA Designer.

Ashley and I have been close friends since we tried out for the middle school cheer team in sixth grade. From middle school newscast to college graduation, Ashley has always been there and she has always been artistic.

I told Ashley from day one that I wanted my book to be pretty. I wanted it to truly be judged by its cover. I wanted it to sit on coffee tables in coffee shops and be the world's most beautiful book. You guys seriously have no idea how pretty this book is, and how talented she is. You might think you know how gifted Ashley is. You have absolutely no clue. I thought I did, but just you wait and see. Every image from the layout to the cover to the interior illustrations all came from Ashley. Seriously, thank you.

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I have poured my heart and soul into this book. Truly, it has taken hours and tears.

But, I did not do it alone. And thank God that I didn't.

My village made my book grammatically correct, incredibly prefaced, and downright gorgeous.

I cannot wait for you to read it.

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My next post will be the announcement of my book release date. I am hoping that it is VERY soon. :)