I wish I had started this list a long time ago. While I appreciate every compliment, the ones here either took me off guard or came from unlikely people. Surrounding me are the best of friends, a lifelong lover, and the most loving mother. I couldn't possibly list everything they do for me. Oldest to newest.

7/30/08: This list isn't even fair. I can't always keep track, and I should keep these moments at heart.

• Absolutely everything my mother does. She has sacrificed even her happiness for me. I am a jerk for not showing my gratitude always. I love you, Mom.
• Cursive concert at Firestone on November 22, 2006. After the show, my sister and I went out back with hopes of meeting Tim. Seven other people were waiting, but a man approached and told me to just go inside and act like I own the place, that the bands were upstairs. He offered to escort me, but I didn't trust him. It was freezing outside and getting late, so I reevaluated his intentions and talked to him. He assured me he wasn't a creep and showed me his VIP wristband. I now wish that I had gotten his name or at least asked why me and not the others.
• October 5, 2007. Michael hopped on a Greyhound in Gainesville to pay me a surprise visit. The timing could not have been more perfect.
• Michael left handpicked flowers and a note on my doorstep at night. I found them in the morning.
• I enrolled myself by phone in a summer program. Will, the man who registered me, stopped midsentence to say, "I'm sorry, but I have to tell you that you have a very nice voice."
• "Crystal— This is honest and insightful on a level that few other people have achieved. I enjoyed reading it. You may not have as much 'artistic' talent as you'd like, but you are a beautiful and talented writer who has something to say." -Mrs. Wilkes
• "I'm sure you'll write an excellent paper. Then again, everything you write is wonderful." -Mrs. Wilkes
• dialogue
  • Kat: I thought you were asking her to prom.
  • McAlister: (sarcastically) Why would I want to go to prom with her?
  • Kat: Why not? I bet she'd look pretty in a dress.
  • McAlister: She looks pretty in anything.
• "I was right: you do look gorgeous." -Kat, at prom
• "I saw Crystal at prom. You looked really pretty." -Chuong
• "You're talented writers, you and your little posse over there. And none of you ever talk... You are honest and insightful, and you never say a word." -Mrs. Wilkes
• "I never cared so much about making someone happy until I met you." -Michael
• "It's come to the point that every night I'm not with you is a waste." -Michael
• "I love you, Stupid." -Michael
• "You're beautiful. Do you get it? You never get it." -Michael
• My junior year was a sad academic year. Mr. Nusbaum helped me out. His class was one of my two A's.
• Mrs. Wilkes's goodbye letter to the class with individual messages. Mine was among the more long and personal ones.
• dialogue
  • Me: Looks like I won't get an A in your class.
  • Mrs. Wilkes: But you're still one of the most talented students I've taught. That's the irony of it.
• When I wished Mr. Nusbaum a good summer, he stood to give me a hug. Then he implored me to be one of the first twenty-five to have him fill out college recommendations. He said he would really like to write mine.
• Michael burned the entire Cursive and Good Life discographies to CD because I once mentioned I should make copies to prevent scratching the originals. I wasn't very grateful, and I'm sure he felt like the CDs were a waste of time. I'm sorry.
• 17th birthday party. Abby's wonderful card that made my eyes tear. Bailey and Jamie's gift, the magnitude of which I did not fully realize until a few days later.
• McAlister's Happy Birthday call, the first thing he did upon waking up with his birthday party hangover.