Blank Spaces would be nothing without the support of its team, and this month, instead of my normal ‘look how far we’ve come’ bit, I’m going to write a love letter for the women who have helped ‘how far’ become a true reality.

The complete table of contents for the December 2017 issue of Blank Spaces.

It’s hard to believe I’m writing this piece for the anniversary issue. One year. Whew! To say I’m proud would be a gross understatement. I am thrilled, amazed, humbled, and all the other positive words I’d list here if I didn’t feel the pressure to write something more profound.

The complete table of contents for the September 2017 issue of Blank Spaces.

When I was in high school, I bought myself a pewter ring of little people holding hands. They circled my finger like the physical manifestation of "Give Peace a Chance." I called it my "O Siem" ring. Music was my heartbeat and it helped me find my story.

The complete table of contents for the June 2017 issue of Blank Spaces.

My daughter came home from school a few months ago singing Humble and Kind. It’s a beautiful song written by folk singer-songwriter Lori McKenna, and made famous by Tim McGraw.