many, both by blood and by choice: parents who support, counsel, guide, and provide, a sister who sets examples and shares oddities, Aunts, Uncles,

many, both by blood and by choice: parents who

support, counsel, guide, and provide, a sister who sets examples and shares oddities, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who know

the importance of Sunday dinner, angels who

protect…

…a statewide leadership-loving support system, a camping crew, and a unique combination of

friends, co-workers, and townies who rock.

laughter, spinach, sleeping in, sunshine, hot showers, success stories, and the smell of soap; happiness, hugs, clichés, fresh fruit, puppies, babies, and Harry Potter; animal print, group fitness classes, dance movies, and sitting on the King Cones’ cow.

everyone deserves respect, hate is a strong word, smiles are the same in every language, all books are better than their movie equivalent, everything happens for a reason, and that we all can and do make a difference in the world.

growing up and growing old, walking over sewer grates, balloons, failure, spiders, being late, getting stolen, forgetting, remembering, falling in love, and making mistakes.

spell check, affection, to talk to her mom regularly, time, support, advice, respect, and private bathrooms.

optimism, smiles, respect, advice, prayers, support, hugs, love, gum, attitude, and sympathetic eye-rolls.

happiness, honesty, respect, more diversity, less prejudice, Greece, a glimpse of her future, Harry Potter World, a Duke vs. UNC game at Cameron Indoor, a real life love story, who A actually is, and her dreams come true.

a place found by chance, furnished by

friends, and heated by Vitamin D, right in the

middle of Downtown Slippery Rock:

The Main Street Mansion.