Asnake Dabala, brother and dearest friend, for letting me abuse all your printing privileges. Nilimuuliza Mungu kwa ajili ya rafiki na akakuleta wewe. Thank you for always being there for me.
My entire Cesar family: I wouldn’t be who I am today without you all. Thank you especially to Nancy McLauchlin, Mary Dejonge, and Sylvia Cesar, for teaching me everything I know about love and bravery and being true to yourself; Larry Dejonge, Brian Baldoni, and Jim McLauchlin, for making my childhood one happy adventure; Pa, for carrying me to bed every night for almost a decade (we miss you); Bobbi, for making my lunches, driving me to appointments, teaching me how to braid my hair . . . you’ve always been so much more than a grandmother. Belonging to all of you is one of the greatest joys of my life. Thank you for raising me.
Jordan Dejonge, for being my coconspirator in all things growing up, but mostly: writing, adventuring, and figuring out how to be human together. I love you.
Dad, for always supporting and defending me. I’m so proud to be your daughter. Jolene, for always being proud of my art-making. Nathan and Graeme, for being two beacons of light in my life.
Mum, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Your love is a bright, fierce thing and the most precious gift I’ve ever been given.
Joe, for never thinking to doubt me. For talking me through this and everything else. For always, always bringing me back to myself. Now let’s go chase your dream, my love.
Last of all, thank you, dear reader, for making it this far. Never forget: you are not what you’ve been told you are, you are what lies within you.