AUTHOR’S NOTE

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This began with a girl I met when we were both still becoming.

Now that we are women, I write this for her, and for the love that still lives within me.

These pages are my way of honoring what is—and has always been—real.

I offer this collection with unwavering devotion, reverence, and the hope that wherever she is, she is touched by it.

Over the course of a year, I have destroyed and restored these pieces more times than I can count, always with her in mind.

This collection is not without its flaws. You may find errors here and there.

I am not a genius, and I never wrote this to be a bestseller. It was achieved through love and commitment, and the only recognition I hope for is hers.

My intention in sharing this publicly is to create something lasting, for her and for myself. A grand gesture, if you will.

This collection may not adhere to every rule, but it is human and true.

 x☺︎x ✞ x☺︎x 

Alicia Marchetti