Dear Reader,

I feel like I know you already. We’ve had coffee together, read the same books, and grieved the loss of a loved one. Or an election. We’ve gained and lost weight. We’ve celebrated and commiserated. We’ve laughed over our struggles with aging. We’ve waxed nostalgic. We’ve made plans for the future. We’ve gotten a little drunk. Together.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about us.

• We believe in the inherent value and potential of every human being.
• We believe in the freedom of choice in all personal matters, including whether and when to have a baby or whom to marry. We married for love and believe others should be allowed to do so.
• We believe that knowledge is power and that knowing the facts helps us make better decisions for ourselves and our world.
• We believe in the freedom of (and from) religion as long as others believe in ours.
• We believe that most people are good and trying the best they can. Everyone is fighting a battle of some kind, some are just more visible.
• We recycle.
• We believe in spreading kindness, even if we get a little judge-y in our heads sometimes.
• We believe trolls live under bridges and should stay there. We know life is short and that bullies and blowhards are simply not worth our time.

Please consider this an invitation as well as a note of gratitude. Stop by when you can. No need to call first. The coffee’s always hot. I’ll save you a seat by the window.