This project was a heavier lift than I expected with all the things I realized I hadn’t processed since I hung up my college boots. None of those cogs wouldn’t have gotten turning if it wasn’t for Jen Sinkler really pushing me to write something for Ferine Mag. “Forgive the Keeper” was really the opening for this whole project. Jen, thank you for being my editor, a willing and open ear who allows me to be me, for pushing me to be more mindful of word choice, and for being someone who gets it when I speak in spirals.

Thank you to the extremely talented artists who rolled with me on illustrating the stories: Maya Winters and Anna-Laura Sullivan. Y’all have creative vision that I highly admire and I’m grateful that you shared your skills with me.

COREY MILLER! You saved me hours of editing audio. You did so with great efficiency and attention to detail. You made everything sound so amazing.

Thank you to the women of Equal Playing Field and the Equality Leagues (namely Mara Gubuan and Minky Worden) for taking me under your wing during France and even before then. I so appreciated your hospitality, your guidance, and belief in me throughout our time in France and NYC.

Thank you to Susie Petruccelli for housing me in Lyon for a bit and also for letting me into your world by seeing an early manuscript of your book. You writing so openly and honestly inspired me to write without abandon.

Thank you to all the humans of Dyke Soccer for creating a loving space for me to redefine my relationship with the sport in community.

Thank you Maya Jackson-Gibson, Zoe Jackson-Gibson, Jenna Kesselring, Erica Smith, Pam Kosanke, and others for letting me bounce ideas off you for insight and feedback.

Much gratitude to my wife Magdalene, who always pushes me to advocate for myself and other BIPOC queer women like me. I love you.

Props to my parents who did all that they could to let me have the best soccer career a girl could wish for.

And thank you to all who have read/listened to/and shared anything that I’ve written. I really appreciate your presence. Always.