Question: Another question I get asked often: Is this story true?

Answer: No, this story is not true. I kind of wish this story was true!

When the Unexpected Happened

Obviously, certain events like Shivani’s father having a stroke came from my own life and all the emotions in those scenes are very real.

I too like Shivani spent time at the hospital with my father. It felt surreal to even see my father in this state because he is the type of man who is not expressive in real life.

He does not get too happy nor too sad. For the first time, it was strange and painful to see my father not doing well. My mother was in too much shock as was my brother and sister.

Inspired by Real Life

But everything else came from:

• observations and anecdotes I’ve picked up from my friends
• stories I heard about other people and kind of put my own twist on them.
• my own experiences while dating, working, socializing, and just figuring out my own life.

Your Twenties are a Growing Time

Being in my twenties is a wonderful but growing time in my life. This is the time I opened myself up to new experiences and people. So when Shivani has relationships and discovers her calling in life, they didn’t happen exactly as in my life, but the emotions were pulled from my own “book” of life.

And, I’m the “therapist” among my friends, so I know after patiently hearing and being there for my own friends’ ups and downs, that there are certain experiences that simply resonate with all.