On hope and heartbreak and the power of community...
This post was originally sent to my newsletter subscribers on January 29, 2026. Click here to subscribe.
Sometimes, the most amazing things happen when you least expect them to...
That's been the lesson of my week.
I'll start at the beginning.
(Though I should warn you, this email is about current events in the United States. I won't call them political, because I believe we're past that now.)
Anyhow, last Saturday was a rough day.
When I heard the news that another brave Minnesotan had been shot and likely killed, my reaction was visceral.
I felt shaky, unsteady on my feet, a lump clogging my throat. I had to take myself away from my kids for a moment, close the door and breathe.
Let the tears come.
It hurts, it physically hurts to watch what is happening in my country.
And it didn't let up.
As the details of Alex Pretti's death came clear in the hours that followed, I felt heavier and heavier. Hopeless. Angry. Heartbroken.
And then, at about 4:00 in the afternoon, one of my best writer friends, Jane Hadley - a Minnesota native who lives in St. Paul - made a post in our small author group online:
"I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in doing some sort of fundraiser with me for community aid here in Minneapolis. I don't know the first thing about putting something like this together... It'd be maybe signed copies or free eBooks in a raffle. Anyone want to go for it with me?"
I didn't hesitate. What I was feeling was so intense, I had to do something... and this seemed worthwhile.
On Sunday, in the cracks between folding laundry, baking my first lemon meringue pie (which is quite complicated btw!) and attending my mom's birthday party, I worked with Jane and Andie to create the fundraiser.
I made a gmail account and a few Google forms. Andie created an Instagram account and some posts. Jane added a landing page to her website, and consulted with her sister-in-law, who's a lawyer.
We met up online after our kids' bedtimes to finalize the details and verbiage, then again after school drop off the next morning...
And that feeling of hopelessness faded as we worked together, pushing ourselves to get this thing done. To get it out there.
And then, at about 10:30 on Monday morning, Romance for Minnesota went live.
My heart is so full today, and I'm so grateful for this community or writers and readers that I'm part of.
I'm grateful for the hope of this moment. The bravery of my friends in Minnesota. The generosity and the empathy of people from around the world.
After a year of feeling so helpless in the face of what's happening, this is a powerful reminder that real, significant change can come when you least expect it... when we join together, and when each of us does our small part.
We're received donations of $10 and $500... We've had people enter who couldn't afford to donate at all, but promised to do everything they could to spread the word.
Each and every one of us has a part to play.
I would be forever grateful if you'd consider donating and entering our contest. It ends at the end of the day Saturday, January 31, and all the details are here:
ROMANCE FOR MINNESOTA
Thank you.
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