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To Tom

It’s easy writing strong, sexy, sweet le day I thank God for bringing you intoperson, an even better father, and an extraordinary husband

“I ah the speakers

I cringe, but repeat the words “I am beautiful”

Everyone has always told —all words used by ers But they see who I am on the outside

Daughter of acclaimed actress Renee Barrick and Vice Presidential candidate Christopher St James

Socialite

Former child star

I despise who I am on the outside

Perfectly coiffed, manicured, waxed, and well-e Silky blond hair with big, beautiful beach waves—thank you kindly toto rown men to their knees

And believe it or not, those are all things I hate about myself

Who gives a shit if I’e? What about who I am on the inside? What about my kind heart and sy? Don’t those things matter anymore? Today’s world is so consumed with beauty and the perfectly sculpted body that the really io unnoticed

Such as kindness and compassion

“I a”

Glaring at the screen on the dash, I wrinkle my nose at the narrator This one is a bit harder because I’

I’ to what everyone else wants, occasionally forgetting that it’s okay to have an opinion It’s okay to be…me

And the real me doesn’t want to be a trophy wife Or a CPA The real n—to be free to do what I ithout the fear of repercussions

That’s exactly why I moved here… Well, partly why I moved here, away from the hustle and bustle that was ht into Heaven

Heaven, Texas, that is

Population ten thousand five hundred seventy-one, and home of the thickest, saltiest air in the entire universe Air that is no doubt doing a number on my overpriced extensions Normally this would be a problem Today it isn’t Because today isforward, and e me:

Lennon St James

Seamstress

Designer