We’d be truly lost without…

Our parents:

April Baggett, my best friend: for inspiring my travel bug in the first place. Thank you for always being there to listen to me wherever I was in the country (or the world) and for however long I needed you; Bruce Baggett: my handyman hero, partner in crime, and dancing role model: for always fueling my imagination and teaching me the value of hard work. You once wrote to me, “follow your instincts and your heart,” which are words I continue to try to live by; And to you both, my ever-patient mom and dad: for giving me faith that a marriage can last forever—and that raising a child on public television can lead them to places they only ever dreamed about.

Kathy Barone Corbett, for leaving the door to home always open, and showing me unconditional love. Anything I have or will ever accomplish in my life can be traced back to the lessons you’ve taught me.

Patrick Corbett, for always supporting my dreams without judgment. Whether helping me move to the city for the twelfth time or getting me a plane ticket home, you’ve never left me lost or stranded.

Maureen Pressner, for always supporting my writing career, even when I was working in crayon. Not everyone could give their mom chapters to edit, but you were a true professional, never judging the content of the book (or my character!) as you cheerfully gave me your notes. Thanks also for creating the gorgeous maps in this book!

Robert Pressner, for encouraging me to travel now, work later. And for advising me to “do what you love and the money will follow,” then lending me a few bucks during the times it didn’t.

Our superagent, Kenneth Wright. Thanks for taking a chance on three unknown writers and Lost Girls, guiding us through the often tumultuous process of publishing our first book, and finding it amusing (rather than annoying!) when all three of us talked over one another in meetings.

Everyone at HarperCollins who believed in our project, especially Jonathan Burnham and Serena Jones. And a huge debt of gratitude to our editor, Stephanie Meyers, for wholeheartedly adopting our project and allowing our individual voices to shine through.

All those friends who inspired us, counseled us, provided storage space in their attics and basements, offered us their futons to crash on, bought much-needed cocktails, read our drafts (even the roughest early versions), and/or eased our transition back into the “real” world: Aimee and Mike Stafford; Bindu Swamy; Catherine Hanson; Chantel Arroyo, Courtney Dubin; Courtney Scott; Courtney Thom; Dean Arrindell; Jenna Autuori; Jenny Depper; Kateri Benjamin; Kristin Luna; Jessica Rosenzweig; Marco Antonio Palomino; Melissa Braverman; Mike Bristol; Nadji Kirby; Nyoman Neuva Reviannossa Suastha; Pierre P. Lizee, PhD; Sarah and Pete Wildeman; Steph and Danny Spahr; Stephanie Davis; Stephanie Sholtis; Stephen Bailey; and Trisha Posen.

The friends and “characters” who joined us on the trip and the new ones we met along the way: Beth Frey; Carmi Louw; Chloe Douglas; Eric Pain and Nora Thompson; Hugh Williams; Irene Scher; Kate Corbett; Marlena Krzesniak; Sam Effron; Sarah Bailey; Simone Morgan; Stephany Foster Spahr; the Irish Lost Girls (Georgia, Suzie, and Sadhbh); and Paul Meyer and Itzel Diaz.

The creative types, media professionals, and travel gurus who helped us launch LostGirlsWorld.com and supported us in our journey from the very beginning: Alan Phillips; Jodi Einhorn; Mark Ledbetter; Molly Fergus; Nina Lora; Patty Hodapp; Patrick Sasso; and Tracy Schmitt.

Shana Greene and all of those at Village Volunteers who devote themselves to helping others, especially Joshua Machinga; Mama Sandra; Emmanuel and Lillian Taser; Sister Freda Robinson and the remarkable men and women who support her medical clinic.

Chris Noble and Christy McCarthy at World Nomads and Chris Ford at Auto Barn. We appreciate that you forgave us so quickly for utterly destroying the roof of your Ambassador van, then subsequently provided a getaway car so we could hit the beach and shred at surf camp (and “keep travelling safely”).

Lulu, the stinky but lovable Boston terrier and Lost Girls mascot.

Also a huge thanks from…

Jen:

To my consummate parental figures—Sharon and Wes Andrews, Lil Slebodnick and Patrick Gibbons, and Nic and Brigitte Monjo—for never judging me when I wore the same set of pajamas for days on end and for making my self-imposed writing retreats a little less lonely. To Kevin Brennan. Who would have thought I’d travel around the world to find what I was searching for right across the Hudson River—who? Thank you for making the long journey so worthwhile.

Holly:

To my sister Sara, for being my accountant and therapist during my travels, and my sister Kate, for always meeting me on my journeys. My life is infinitely fuller because you are both in it. To Meg Foye, a fellow Lost Girl, for being the greatest editor and turning into an even better friend. Meg, you are the rock! To Enver, for teaching me how to love and let go. To Sophie, Frank, Adam, and Barry Barone, for reminding me that life is short and the time to live is now.

Amanda:

To Jeff Cravens, who stood by me through every step of the process. Thank you for sharing your energy, passion, and creativity. I couldn’t have completed this chapter of my life without you. To Jennifer Pressner, my first-and-always best friend, my fellow adventurer. I might never have learned to explore (and certainly wouldn’t have gotten into as much trouble!) if you hadn’t showed me the way. To Nadine Pressner, who invited me to North Carolina so I could finish the really difficult pages and let me borrow Mia when I needed a buddy. To Aunt Karen and Uncle Eddie, who’ve repeatedly allowed me to store my worldly possessions in their basement and fed me heartily during my New York layovers. To Bruce Kirk, the role model who taught me everything from turning the perfect cartwheel to surviving in the desert. To Jeff Baker, who helped inspire my travels and has generously offered to edit anything I write, whether it be a novel or a grocery list.