Raised in a small town in Northern Michigan, I sought escapism from my chaotic upbringing through books. From a preschooler pretending to read picture books on my front porch, to a teen staying up until the early hours to write, I have been deeply connected with the written word. After meeting poverty, a mentor, and a few close friends in the Detroit area, my youthful self zealously sought purpose but found myself stunted by the day-to-day. I enlisted in the military as a combat medic, the only combat role open to women at the time. The military gave me a keen insight into the level of grit I truly had, with consequences I hadn't anticipated, as a fresh-faced kid. Feminism whittled its way into my life as hardship honed my empathy to a fine tip. Multinational experiences cultivated a deeper understanding of the human condition across borders. Knowledge and literacy are prized possessions, sometimes as precious as the rarest jewel. After reconnecting with a stranger I met in Airborne School at Fort Benning eight years prior, I fell in love. I left active duty, accepted a scholarship with the Posse Foundation, and relocated to Charlottesville, Virginia. I have since received a Bachelor's of Arts in English at the University of Virginia and spend my free time with the love of my life Ross, his two precocious daughters, and my best friend/shih-tzu, Buddy.