Meet Grow Your Value finalist Emily Reeves

Grow Your Value finalist Emily Reeves never planned to publish a book about losing her younger brother, a Navy SEAL who served in Afghanistan, when she began privately writing about her experience with grief after he was killed in 2011. In the month following his death, Emily wrote her brother deeply personal letters describing her feelings and what happened that day. In a fog of confusion and pain, she turned to the writing process to feel the deep connection she had with her only sibling. The series of letters eventually became a memoir detailing Emily’s experience with grief and the aftermath of losing a sibling, particularly a military hero. Last month, on the fourth anniversary of her brother’s death, her book Stay Safe was published – signifying what Emily calls “a major milestone in her grieving process.” The satisfaction, comfort and peace she felt after sharing her story ignited her passion for writing.