To the people who feel like family.
This book is dedicated to my family—near or far—by blood and by choice.
To the friends gathered around the campfire, where laughter comes easy and stories last long into the night (and somehow get better every time they’re retold).
To the hockey families I’ve had the privilege of being part of, united by early mornings, shared victories, and collective groans—both from the stands and our frozen bottoms.
And to my colleagues who see one another not as titles, but as individuals defined by character (and an impressive tolerance for bad jokes).
Choosing a career in law does not always guarantee popularity, and there are days when the challenges try to get the best of us. Yet when we are surrounded by family—whether related by blood or bonded by life’s journey—those challenges feel lighter. The truest definition of family extends far beyond blood.
This book is offered with gratitude, love, and appreciation to all who remind me that laughter, support, and belonging are what truly hold us together.
— Tina