Will, watching from the kitchen doorway with a glass of water in his hand, is the only one not ornamented with food. Grinning, he steps forward and dashes the water on those nearest.
        The laughter gradually subsides — until Lizzie points to a glob of sauce sashaying down the windowpane, and the sight starts us howling again.

        I bring in the candlelit cake. Will lifts Regina high as we all join sticky hands and sing to her. Fiercely concentrating, she makes her wish, whatever it is. Cheeks full of determined breath, she blows out all six candles and joins in the applause.
        My own wish is for positive change to grow, to embrace more and more of us at the cusp of a brand new world so that together we can all experience this fierce energizing joy. As I take in the glowing faces around me, my heart thumps with love and pride. If ever there is a moment to freeze-frame, this is it.
        We did it! Irrespective of doubts and difficulties, we let go of our known way of life and sailed out into the vast unknown, landing here safely on our feet, ready to prove the skeptics wrong, all those doubters who call us, accusingly, you damned-fool impossible dreamers.
        

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