My parents are Fred and Kathleen Hay. My mother is from North Tonawanda and my father is from Tonawanda, twin cities with rival high schools outside of Buffalo, New York. Even though they grew up within minutes of each other and were both nominated for the Greater Buffalo area 'Ideal Youth' award in the same year, they didn't meet until they were introduced by a mutual friend during college in Albany. They've been married for 38 years and have raised Owen and I. Their love and encouragement has helped me become who I am today.

My mother majored in English at SUNY Albany. She would go on to teach 9th grade English in McDonough, Georgia, then write advertising copy, all while raising us. My love of reading comes from my mother. I remember toting around her copy of an anthology of American poetry all throughout middle school; it was dear to me. Recently, Mom has been soaking up small town life in Anacortes and working on refinishing the lower level of their house. My mother also has her own website with old pictures of me, holiday newsletters and an entire section dedicated to our flower girl, Zoe.

My father went to Union College where he majored in Economics (also what I majored in.) He won the coveted title of "keeper of the jug" and was on the varsity football, lacrosse and wrestling teams. Dad joined the Army, went to business school at Indiana State, and finally joined the Detroit auto industry where he made his career in auto parts and tools. If you get a chance, ask Dad for the Japanese business trip stories, there are a bunch of good ones. Outside of work, Dad taught me how to ride my bike by holding the back and running behind me. He came to my sports matches and eventually learned to like volleyball as much as football. Dad retired a few years ago, and has been golfing all around Washington (one course hascoyotes walk beside you). He's also been traveling during the Seattle rain season. Over the past year he went to Scotland (with us), went to the Olympics in Greece, and did the great Alaskan road trip.

Both of my parents and my entire family have warmly welcomed Alex into our family. I want to thank them so much for their support and for the life they've given me.