Jenna Kutcher - How Are You, Really?

Im not going to lie: I put off writing this part until the very last minute. The probability that I will forget to acknowledge someone here is very high and frankly overwhelming. How can you possibly thank the village of humans who champion your work and make it possible for you to do what you love every day? Its entirely impossible, but here I am trying.

In the past, Ive heard that writing a book is a lot like birthing a baby into the universe. Since Ive now done both of these things, I have to say, I agree. Writing a book is a process that requires time, energy, growth, and being stretched in ways you didnt know you were capable of before releasing new breath, new life into the world.

And since I wrote this book while simultaneously growing a wiggly human being, handing in my final manuscript just days before my second daughter was born, I feel like I am closing this part of the process as an entirely new woman and a very proud mama (on so many levels!). Just like I had humans by my side reminding me to breathe through the labor pains and to push just a little harder, I had an amazing team of humans who held my hands and who sweat right alongside me throughout this journey.

I have to start this off with thanking the guy who has stuck by my side for over a decade, loving every iteration and evolution of me along the way. Drew, you are my best friend, my partner, the best teammate I could ask for, and I would literally live like a single college-aged dude if you werent in my life following behind my little creative tornadoes and piles every day.

The way you graciously listen to my wild and crazy ideas, the way you didnt question me when I said, It is time for me to write a book, and the way you supported me and our family through the process speaks volumes to the man you are. Im so glad I kissed you during Home Alone!

Thank you for not judging the fact that I sustained my life, this book process, and the baby in my belly on chicken nuggets and Cocos mac and cheese, and thank you for shining a light on this vision, reminding me it would all be worth it on the days where I got slightly overwhelmed. I know you think Im a sap when you catch me getting teary-eyed every time I make pancakes (which happens to be often) but I also know that when you notice my watery eyes and smile, its because we know were living out that scene we held for our lives, its because were awake to the life that were living. I cant sum up what you mean to me, but Ill sure try to every night before our heads hit the pillow. Ill do my best to remind you, affirm you, encourage the chasing of your dreams, and I promise to love you well, for the rest of my days, because one lifetime will never be enough.

To my Coco, I know I carry a lot of titles, but it is my greatest joy on planet Earth to be called your mama. You grew, evolved, and absolutely transformed through my writing process, and I love the little girl you are and who you are becoming. Thank you for cheering me on when I was working, thank you for making me play Baby Shark in the corner of my screen while I was writing so we could sit together, and thank you for loving books as much as I do. I clung tight to a vision of you someday reading these words, and Ill savor each moment until that day comes. You have taught me that the wait is always worth it. You are my greatest inspiration, the light of my life, the giggling girl from my vision, and my rainbow that came after the storm.

To this baby in my belly, who turned out to be Quinn Louise, you gave me the push I needed to make this dream come true. On the path to writing this book, you were my purpose. So much of this process unfolded because of you. You were always a dream of mine and getting to write a book while anticipating meeting you was exactly what I needed to chase two dreams simultaneously. I like to think that my heartbeat grew stronger just as yours did, throughout this process. Thank you for giving me the ultimate deadline to get this done and thanks for literally being my sidekick throughout this entire process. I know that by the time I write my next book, Ill have so many stories of all the ways youve changed me, inspired me, and taught me.

To my family, my goodness, whenever I try to sum you all up, its impossible. I recognize how absolutely rare it is to have a family in your life whose daily text threads make you smile but also who celebrates and champions you every step of the way. You all have been a pivotal piece of my story and a huge source of my motivation. Mom and Dad, Im waiting for that parenting book Ive been begging you to write because you somehow raised three independent, confident, driven children who genuinely love one another (and who have a knack for picking out the best partners and birthing the greatest kiddos). I am so thankful my pancake vision led me home to all of you, because I cant imagine a life without our spontaneous nights, pizza parties, and weekends at the lake. I love you all so much.

One of my greatest desires in this book writing adventure was to live out my values through the process. I wanted to walk the walk, I wanted to live my life in a way that stayed true to all of the words I have written in these pages. I wanted the process to be fun and lifegiving, and thankfully, I gathered a group of women who not only rallied around the mission of this book but who also made sure that the way we navigated every step of the process put our lives first and the work second. Writing this book truly felt as good as it looks!

To my amazing book doulas, Brooklyn and Erin, I truly couldnt imagine going through this process without you. I never want to write a book without you two by my side. Thanks for making this process far less painful and way more fun!

Brooklyn, Im so thankful LinkedIn brought you into my life and Im also thankful I didnt hire you as my podcast producer! I saw something in you that I couldnt put my finger on, but I trusted it and I am so thankful I did. You were the only human I shared my Google doc with and you didnt scoff at my idea that I wanted to write in secret, without telling another soul. You were my copilot, the yin to my yang, and a human who constantly balanced me with your fresh perspective. I love you so, BW.

Erin, you entered the scene as my fairy bookmother (after years of me telling you, No, Im not ready!) and you jumped on board at such a critical time in the journey, guiding us through the hard parts of the process with encouragement, enlightenment, and eternal joy. Your voice notes propelled me to keep on going, your organization made my heart sing, and your additions enriched this book in ways I cant explain but can feel.

While your email sat in my If I Write a Book Gmail folder for years before I read your words, Margaret Riley King, I am so thankful that the universe plopped us into one anothers lives at just the right time. You are more than an agent (and a bad ass one at that!). You are a friend, a visionary, a force to be reckoned with, and an advocate for telling stories that matter. To my editor, Carrie Thornton, I liked you from the moment I met you! Thank you for championing this book, this message, and the timing of it all. Your gifts elevated this book to a whole new level! I am so thankful to have walked through this journey with you two, and beyond the book, we got to experience life and what it looks like to live out the words inside of the book throughout the process.

To the entire team at Dey Street, thank you for bringing me into your fold of brilliant minds, talented writers, passionate creatives, and heart-forward humans. It is such an honor to play a role in the legacy youre weaving throughout the publishing industry and beyond. I am so grateful to be among the many voices you and HarperCollins have championed throughout this century.