There’s something about this season that slows the world down—just enough for us to breathe, reflect, and remember what truly matters.

Maybe it’s the soft glow of Christmas lights against winter windows. Maybe it’s the scent of food that pulls you back into childhood memories. Or maybe it’s the truth that no matter where we are, we all long for connection, for warmth, for a place where our stories are welcomed.

This year, as I look back on my journey as an author, I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude.

Releasing The Ticket to Freedom into the world has been one of the most vulnerable and transformative experiences of my life. It’s a story born from courage—quiet courage, the kind that builds slowly in the spaces between who you were raised to be and who you’re becoming. And I’m grateful for every reader who stepped into David’s world with me.

Christmas feels like the right moment to honor that.

Because at its heart, this season is about light—finding it, sharing it, and recognizing it in ourselves and others.

A season of reflection

This time of year pulls us inward. It invites us to acknowledge how far we’ve come, the battles we’ve fought in silence, and the ways we’ve grown through moments we didn’t think we’d survive.

A season of belonging

For many queer folks and immigrants, the holidays can be complicated. But there is beauty in building new forms of family, in finding spaces that feel like home even when home has shifted. We get to rewrite what belonging means for us.

A season of hope

Hope isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s the belief that new chapters are possible, that healing is real, and that our voices deserve to be heard. It’s in the messages you’ve sent me, the reviews you’ve written, and the shared excitement for the stories still coming.

As we wrap up this year, I hope your Christmas is filled with warmth, softness, and honest joy. Whether you’re surrounded by loved ones, sharing laughter across a table, or finding peace in your own quiet celebration, may this season remind you that your story matters.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for carrying these characters with you.

Wishing you a peaceful, meaningful, and love-filled Christmas.

— Luu, The Author