This is always my favorite page to write! I am sooooo grateful to the following people who provided endless encouragement and support as Marshall and Mara’s story took shape …
Mom and Dad, you are always listed first because you always inspire and uplift me probably more than you even know. And to my siblings, grandparents, and the rest of my family, as well—I love you all like crazy and I feel your support in so many ways.
Courtney Walsh, thank you for all those voxes. Thank you for brainstorming and encouraging and empathizing with the whole juggling-two-careers thing. And thank you even for convincing me to commit to a crazy hard workout program. Haha!
Rachel Hauck, Lisa Jordan, Alena Tauriainen, Beth Vogt, Susan May Warren—I love all your morning (and afternoon and evening) texts and I love each of you. Lindsay Harrel, Gabrielle Meyer, and so many other writer friends—you make this journey richer than I could’ve imagined.
Charlene Patterson, you’re the best editor a writer could ask for. Thank you for seeing both the gems and the, um, not-so-sparkly things in the early version of this story. And Marisa Deshaies, thank you bunches for your keen proofreading eye.
Thank you, Jenny Zemanek, from Seedlings Design Studio for the prettiest cover ever! Truly, this is the kind of cover I pictured when I was a kid dreaming about writing books.
Readers, reviewers, and influencers—I really think writing these stories is the most vulnerable thing I do. With every purchase, review, note, and kind word, you help me shore up enough bravery for the next one. Thank you.
Finally, thank you to the One who keeps giving me stories to unwrap. This one feels like the best gift yet. Thank you for surprising me. And changing me. And loving me. Always.