Tamara Welch, I can’t believe how many books we’ve brought to life together now. You are the glue that holds this all together! Ashley Edmondson, thanks for being such an important part of our family. What would we do without you? And many thanks for introducing me to Sam Douglas, who was invaluable in answering my NC State Architecture questions!
Speaking of family, the ladies got love at the top, but I certainly need to thank my dad, Paul Woodson, who has always believed in all my dreams, no matter how big. The only person who quite possibly believed in me even more was my grandfather, Joe Rutledge, who I was blessed enough to get to have for thirty-four whole years—and who I miss every day. I guess it’s no coincidence that I married a man much like my dad and granddad, someone who always jumps at the chance to help, whether that means fact-checking part of a book, driving me on tour, taking on extra dad duty, or helping me unpack a business problem. Thanks, Will, for thinking I can do anything even when I forget. My son, Will, can catch any fish, anywhere, has the absolute greatest dance moves, and cracks me up every day. He’s also an amazing writer, but I’m not getting my hopes up… I love you guys so, so much.
So, these acknowledgments end much as they began, with my family. This book is, more than anything, and maybe as usual, about family. How it shapes us, creates us, how we fight for those who went before us and long to change the world for those who are to come. Maybe that’s why we’re here; maybe that’s what matters. Maybe we’ll never know. But, in the meantime, I hope this story encourages each of you to draw close to the ones you love, to reach out a hand to someone who needs you, to fight for your dream even when it’s hard—maybe because it’s hard.
Edith did it. So did Cornelia. And I know you can too.