Introduction

Melody would not grow to be the perfectly graceful and charming woman parents hope for of their daughters. She would become sharp and quick witted and would be able to hold her own in nerve-wracking social situations, but she would never be among the popular elite to grace the parlor halls of high society. If anything, you might say that she would become one of "the guys."

Melody - oftener Mel - had more scars as reminders of her general lack of coordination to mar her almost-olive skin than designer pieces to dignify her closet. She preferred bare feet to killer heels, the great outdoors to malls, and game night in with the boys to a night on the town with the girls.

Still, she reveled in thoughts of dressing up and teared like a leaky dam during the most awful of romantic comedies. When she tried, she was beautiful, not that she was ugly when she didn't.

From life, Mel sought understanding and balance in a tumultuous world. She sought beauty and grace alongside divine chaos and the quirky details that make life meaningful. Above all, she sought love.

This is her tale.