It's IN THE EVENT OF LOVE's Book Birthday!!!!! Please read along (or feel free to scroll on by!) for an extra-sappy caption.💛 Dear Morgan, You came into my life when I needed you most. You were brave and angry and broken and hurting like me. You gave me a place to put my fears and frustration, a safe space to be myself, to reflect on what I needed, and to feel hope again. You made me realize I'm not a failure because of my flaws or challenges, I'm strong for facing them. Dear Rachel, You were the self-love side of me that was breaking through at a time in my life when I was very low. You showed me how to care for myself more, how to be gentle with myself, and how to feel grounded amidst the storm. You helped me envision a self-love that was giving and kind and strong and steady. For me, that was something I needed to feel for my own self as I grappled with burnout, trauma, mental illness, and coming out. Jen Devon recently told me that writing Romance is not just an act of joy, but also one of power, and she's right. When the world and my mind was too dark and heavy, I found Fern Falls--a place I believe my heart created in order to envision something better and brighter--a place to hope, and a place to feel redeemed. It was also my act of rebellion against all things terrifying and bad and hateful. Fern Falls will always be my safe space, and for readers who find a piece of themselves within it, I want you to know, with all my heart, this space was made for you, too. To past me, who sat on the couch years ago hoping for a very gay holiday movie: WE DID PRETTY DAMN GREAT. To my beloved Queer Community, Most of all, IN THE EVENT OF LOVE is to celebrate YOU. I see you, you are beautiful, you are valid, you are enough, and I love you! We can do it all, bbs, and it ALWAYS gets better.💛 And to my dear @holigays22: LET'S FUCKIN GO HAPPY HOLIGAYS forever and always!!! Love, Court 💛🏳️‍🌈🎉