“Anyone can fuck. Most can talk a good game. But that’s missing the point. It’s about nurturing her sometimes fragile heart, stimulating her thirsty mind while at the same time using her body in ways that will make her blush even days later with equal amounts of embarrassment and excitement. That’s not something everyone can do. And that’s why not all men are the same.”

“When I was growing up, I never thought I’d want kids. I had a tough childhood. And when you have a tough childhood, it’s hard to believe that a good childhood is even an option. So I didn’t want kids, because I was afraid if I did that they would feel how I felt. I didn’t want anyone to feel the way I felt. And then I got pregnant when I was eighteen, so I made a promise to never let my baby feel that way. A while ago, I gave her my favourite book from my childhood to read, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It’s about some kids who run away from home and go live in a museum. So one day she’s reading it, and she stops for a moment. And she says, “Mom, I kinda like the book, but I kinda don’t.” I said, “That’s all right, what don’t you like about it?” She said, “I just don’t understand how anyone could want to run away from home.” I said, “You never thought about it?” She said, “Why would I? I have the best mom ever.” So I hugged her and cried. The reason I liked the book was the reason she didn’t! I’m keeping my promise, and just a little reminder: your past doesn’t define you. You can do better, even if you don’t know how yet.”