You're always going to survive the pain of loss. I can live with that confidence inside of me.

[My mother] was the strength of our family, and I didn't realize that until I got a little bit older.

Everybody should be affected by their own realities in their own lives, their own struggles in their own lives. It makes us who we are, and we all know that.

In truth, 2007 was the hardest year of my life. I lost my best friend. I lost my father.

She [my mother] struggled, abusing alcohol for quite some time, and so we just kind of drifted apart. I went to college. But I dedicate the book to her because she is the true champion of the family. She kept our family together. She provided us with a roof over our head. She always worked.

I don't need a captain's band to lead a team to victory.

I've had marriage proposals, invitations to military balls and even a few prom offers from 18-year-old boys.