Hi, John, it's John, Trudy's husband (aka the luckiest man in the world). I want to take a moment today to tell you about the first time I met Trudy. This story is really special to me – honestly, I'm already getting choked up just writing this email.

Both Trudy and I have lost spouses to cancer. The year after my wife died felt impossible for a million reasons – no one tells you just how isolating grief is. When folks asked me how I was doing, more often than not I found myself fibbing. I learned quickly that most people who asked that question weren't equipped to handle the messy but honest answer.

I first met Trudy about a year after my wife died. She'd heard that my wife passed, and like so many other people, she asked how I was doing. But when Trudy asked that question, it felt entirely different. I could tell within minutes of meeting her that she truly cared about how I felt. She didn't want a shallow, empty answer. Trudy wanted to actually know how I was doing – and she wanted to help me shoulder some of my grief. We had a nearly instantaneous connection. 

I learned during that first meeting just how big Trudy's heart is. And as I got to know her better, I watched her go through life wearing that big, open heart right on her sleeve. As a parent, a nurse, and now a candidate for Senate, Trudy leads with empathy, warmth, and genuine compassion for everyone she meets.

On the campaign trail, Trudy doesn't give people a listening ear just for show; she truly sees folks for who they are – and she won't let anyone get away with a shallow answer to a big, important question. Just like she was trained to do as a nurse, Trudy hunts for the symptoms and then works tirelessly to find the right course of treatment. That's the type of leader that Washington needs right now.

But this isn't something Trudy can do all on her own. So I'm personally asking you, John: Please, will you make a grassroots donation tonight to give Trudy the chance to fix the broken system in Washington, heal our divided nation, and make real change for millions of families? I know that Trudy has what it takes to win, but she can't do this without you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email and for supporting Trudy's campaign. It means the world to me.

With deep gratitude,

John Fries (Trudy's husband)