There is something about Midwest in general, that has kind of an underdog quality.

I think this is something that is naturally built in in people, a need for attention and a need to be special and we are always trying to find a balance.

What made something precious? Losing it and finding it.

If you told people you were moving to Ohio, they wouldn't congratulate you. They'd say "OH WHY would you move there?" as if that was something that happened to you and you had to deal with.

I am in a mixed race marriage myself, and I have a mixed race son....The racial perception interest is probably always going to be there to some extent.

They never discussed it, but both came to understand it as a promise: he would always make sure there was a place for her. She would always be able to say, Someone is coming. I am not alone.

After a while, the fear became a habit, too.