Fall is my favorite time of the year. I can't even explain the excitement I feel once the leaves start changing colors and pumpkins start popping up in the supermarkets. I absolutely love the cooler weather, the drop in humidity and the crispness in the air. It's during fall that I find myself enjoying the great outdoors more. I love biking with my kids along the Broadlands trails and baking pumpkin muffins upon our return. It is my sincere hope that you enjoy the season with your family as much as I do with mine. Remember to cherish the moments with your loved ones because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Case in point: the previous summer happened to be a trying time for my family. My eldest brother, Michael, who is one of our lead photographers, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. Michael is a tremendously important person to me, so ensuring his speedy recovery was a major focus for us here at I AM Modern. Thankfully, he has finally completed a tough stint of both chemo and radiation and is well on his way down the road to recovery. Witnessing his personal strength and perseverance throughout this tough time has made me love him even more. And it has reminded me to be more mindful of showing love and appreciation for those near & dear to me. My big brother's going to be okay—I know this to be true in my heart, but keep us in your thoughts and prayers. On a much lighter note, our upcoming Holiday issue is going to be all about L–O–V–E.

So send us your romantic stories, first love letters and cherished photos. We want to spread the love by publishing them. Email me directly and I promise you as many romantic and heartfelt stories as possible. And please remember, dear readers, you are very important to us here at I AM Modern. We thrive on your thoughts and appreciate all of your feedback, so reach out to us...we'll be there.

Hulya Aksu, Founding Publisher
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