One of the things that is perhaps less known about Michigan is that before the assembly lines and the bustle of the modern Motor City, there was a quiet river settlement defined by "ribbon farms" and French-Canadian grit along with Native cooperation and business. To truly understand Detroit’s heritage, we have to look back to 1701 and the founding of Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit.

I was connected to my Aunt Marie before I even knew it. Marie O’Rourke was my great aunt, the sister of my paternal grandmother, and I grew up seeing her as often as I saw my grandparents. It was her first name that connected us, as my parents gave it to me as a middle name, in part to honor her as well as another family member. But along the way, I found much more that connects us.