I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti Read online

  Sandy Sislowitz, who changed my life dramatically with phenomenal insight, deep compassion, and abundant humor.

  Corey Seymour for being a teacher, a guide, a source of sustenance, amusement, and wisdom for far longer than I deserve.

  Lucinda Rosenfeld and John Cassidy for reminding me—over many evenings of spaghetti and meatballs traded for their excellent company—that I am a pretty good cook.

  Meredith Tucker for being a fantastic neighbor, cheerleader, and taster.

  Russell Perreault and Reed Maroc for impeccable hospitality and countless incredible meals at their beautiful home in the Connecticut hills.

  Colleagues at Harper’s Magazine, especially Ellen Rosenbush, Jennifer Szalai, and Ted Ross—who kindly read the proposal in its early stages and offered editorial guidance. I was privileged to be in the company of so many smart people for so many years and I am privileged to get to keep them for friends.

  Mark Lane, Dennis Corrado, Joel Warden, Anthony Andreassi, and James Simon at The Brooklyn Oratory for being so keen on a book I’ll have to go to confession for.

  Anne Twomey for designing a book jacket that captured exactly what I wanted when I had no idea what I wanted.

  Jamie Raab, Emi Battaglia, Martha Otis, Karen Torres, Elly Weisenberg, Amanda Englander, Harvey-Jane Kowal, Sona Vogel, Brad Negbaur, and everyone at Grand Central Publishing.

  Karolina Sutton, Tina Wexler, and Elizabeth Perrella at ICM.

  Kenneth Ardito, Maxwell Ardito, Susanna Beacom, Gillian Blake, Bliss Broyard, Carmen D’Aloia, Larisa DePalma, Jeff Edelson, Jonathan Elderfield, Marianne Gillow, Mark Haag, Yuki Hirayama, Hannah Houston, Deborah Kwan, Dante Nicola Melucci, Elizabeth Melucci, Stella Giulia Melucci, Biba Milioto, Deak Nabers, Blake Nelson, Alessandro Pugliese, Giulia Rosina Pugliese, Stanislao Pugliese, Maria Ricapito, Joia Speciale, Robert Sullivan, Suzanne Sullivan, Jen Tadaki Catanzariti, Marie Ventura, Elena von Kassel, Angela Voulangas, and Jimmy Wallenstein.

  And, as if so many incredible friends weren’t enough, I have been blessed with two sisters and two brothers whose love for me and pride in me have always been palpable and unshakable: a lifetime of thanks to Nancy, Carla, Nicholas, and Matthew.