Something I Know . . . That You May Not.

I’m going to share an intimate, vulnerable, and personal story here — and I ask that you read it all. It may not be obvious at first how my life relates to yours, but I have a hunch that this could make a difference for you. It may even affect whether or not you end up writing and publishing a book.

Picture it. I’m sitting at the head table, in my wedding dress. After my husband chose five groomsmen, I had scrambled to find five friends I wanted to ask to be bridesmaids.

I wasn’t expecting a lot from the toasts.

But when my friend from college stood up, she said, “Meg is my absolute best friend, and . . .”

I didn’t hear the rest. My mind was completely blown. Alison and I had been friends since 2000, and she had asked me to be her maid of honor in her wedding but . . . best friend?

I had no clue. I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

For years — decades — I had assumed that I wasn’t like everyone else. I didn’t have a best friend. (Cue all the violins.) But in reality, I did. The whole freaking time I had what I wanted . . . and didn’t even realize it.

Fast forward to this past summer where I got to spend a weekend of quality time with Alison.