Last Thursday, June 11, 2026, something extraordinary happened. After years of work, revision, doubt, hope, and more than a few late nights, my book finally stepped out into the world. There’s a moment in every creative journey when the private work becomes public, when the pages you’ve carried close to your chest are suddenly held in someone else’s hands. Launch day was that moment for me, and it’s one I’ll remember for a long time.

The days leading up to the release were full in the best possible way. Messages came in from readers who had been waiting for this book, from colleagues cheering it on, and from friends who’ve watched this project to grow from a quiet idea into something real. It felt like standing in the middle of a warm current, carried forward by people who believed in the work even when I was still finding my footing. And I’m grateful, deeply grateful, that book sales have been good so far. Seeing this story find its readers so quickly has been both humbling and energizing.

But this book didn’t arrive here on its own. It was shaped, strengthened, and supported by a community of people whose generosity made all the difference.

To my beta readers and subject matter experts, Starla Blew, Kelly Johnson, Ashley Garceau, and Melanie Alexander, thank you for giving your time, your attention, and your honesty. You read these pages when they were still finding their voice. You offered insight, clarity, and encouragement at every turn. Your willingness to sit with the manuscript and speak truthfully about what you saw helped me refine the work into something truer and more grounded. I’m grateful for each of you.

To my agent, A.J. Downey, thank you for believing in this project from the beginning. Your guidance, your steady hand, and your fierce advocacy helped carry this book across the finish line. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in this process.

To my husband, Jeryd, who has walked beside me through every draft, every rewrite, every moment of doubt, and every small victory, thank you. Your support has been the quiet foundation beneath this entire journey. You’ve celebrated the highs, steadied the lows, and reminded me again and again why this work matters.

And to my friends and family, thank you for cheering me on, for asking how the writing was going even when the answer was complicated, and for showing up in ways both big and small. Your love and encouragement created the space this book needed to grow.

As I look ahead, I’m filled with gratitude. A book launch isn’t just a milestone; it’s a beginning. It’s the moment when the story leaves the writer’s hands and becomes part of someone else’s life. I’m honored that this one is now out in the world, finding its readers, making its way.

Thank you for walking this path with me. Thank you for celebrating this moment. And thank you for believing in the work.
Here’s to the journey ahead.