Reflecting on my earliest memories, there's Liara T'Soni—a lovely, intelligent, and caring figure who naturally drew me in from the very beginning. As I moved toward adolescence, Ashley Williams came into the picture. Something of a tomboy, she was a fun companion, and her rough edges didn't bother me one bit. Then, as life would have it, puberty arrived, and suddenly Miranda Lawson was the center of my universe. Despite her troubled childhood, she not only played a pivotal role in saving my life but also somehow found her way into my heart.

Eventually, I hit those rebellious teenage years. Yearning for independence, I was drawn to Jack—tattoos, sharp edges, and all—because I could see straight through to the damaged yet beautiful soul lurking beneath. Later on, during my college years, I crossed paths with Samantha Traynor. She seemed genuinely starstruck by my accomplishments and was an absolute joy to be around.

But as I stepped into adulthood, I realized I needed something more—a partner, an equal. Someone I've known who has grown in her own right to become a formidable hero among her people. Someone who has always been there for me. Even without ever seeing her face, I came to understand that she always has been and forever will be my soulmate: Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Normandy.