Back in October 2019, I pitched Roberta Zeff a personal essay idea for the Ties column in the New York Times during UPOD Academy. She expressed interest in it. I wrote a draft in November and sent it to my amazing UPOD colleagues who gave me fantastic feedback. The feedback was so helpful that I realized I needed to do a lot more work on it. So the essay sat as my paid assignments took priority, then the pandemic hit in March. I shelved it while juggling childcare and my work. Until a freelance friend, Juli Fraga, asked me if I had sent it to Roberta yet. She nudged me each time we emailed. I got the hint. I did a round of heavy revisions and sent it to a second group of trusted readers. I took their feedback, fine tuned the essay, and sent it off in July 2020, eight months after my live pitch. It wasn’t my ideal timeframe, but I’m really proud of where the essay ended up.

Special thanks to my Pennacook writers, especially Rena Potok, who listened to me brainstorm ideas and encouraged me when I felt lost to finish it.