I just want to take a moment outside of the story to say thank you.

To my parents, my family, and my therapist. You held me together when I had nothing left to hold myself with. Because of you I am still here, still walking, still breathing, still able to write any of this down. There are no words big enough for that. I've tried to find them and they don't exist.

You stood by me at my worst. Not the convenient kind of support that shows up when things are manageable. The real kind. The kind that stays when it gets ugly and dark and scary. That is not something I will ever take for granted.

I am forever grateful for my people.

And I hope I never fall that deep again. But if I do, I know now that I won't be falling alone. And somehow that makes all the difference.

From the bottom of my heart. Thank you for everything.