Thoughts - even fears - were airy things, formless until you made them solid with your voice and once given that weight, they could crush you.

Oh, Mia. You haven’t even begun to find out who you really are, and, believe me, other boys are going to fall in love with you. If a guy can’t see how special you are, he isn’t good enough for you.

Of course you can fall in love. You just have to let yourself. They don't call it falling for nothing. -Kate

You look great," he said. It made her smile, even if it was a lie. "I'm as big as a house." He laughed. "I like houses. In fact, I'm thinking about architecture as a career.

As mothers and daughters, we are connected with one another. My mother is the bones of my spine, keeping me straight and true. She is my blood, making sure it runs rich and strong. She is the beating of my heart. I cannot now imagine a life without her.

I am such a Pacific Northwest girl.

Nothing was easier to shatter than the fragile shield of an idealist.