I am an only child because when I was three, my dad was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. At the point when he was finally declared healthy, I liked to think my parents were so thankful to have his life that they didn't even consider trying to bring about another one. That, or they were just happy with me.

In reality, chemotherapy rendered my dad sterile. I was, and continue to be, my parents' only shot at the perfect child. Though perhaps not by choice, I ended up being the sole focus of their lives. I had to make them okay with that.

I had to be the best.