CHRISTMAS CARD, THE

To whoever may be reading this, my warmest greetings are with you this Christmas. I know times are hard for you there, but back home we’re thinking of you. We love you, appreciate everything you’re doing, and with all our hearts, wish you a safe return…

The spirits are high for an American troop in Afghanistan at Christmas. Private Jonesy’s (Nick Ballard, Dr. Vegas) fiancé has sent them all fresh-baked cookies, and the cards sent by well-wishing strangers are a bittersweet reminder of what they’re fighting for. Even career militarist Cody Cullen (John Newton, Desperate Housewives) is touched—especially so—by a lovely card sent by Faith Spelman (Alice Evans, The Chris Isaak Show) from the small, picturesque town of Nevada City, California. As the months pass, the card never leaves his side. But nothing can soften the reality of war. The following Thanksgiving, Jonesy is killed and Cody is given leave. On a whim, and with no real family of his own to go home to, Cody opts for Nevada City. With Jonesy’s dog tags near his heart and Faith’s card in his pocket, Cody embarks on a journey to look for a home he can call his own.

Nevada City is as welcoming as Faith described it. Cody finally meets the letter writer herself at a the local diner, and she’s as beautiful and as warm a spirit as he dreamed she would be. Cody not only finds himself welcomed into her family, but Faith’s father (Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ed Asner, The Mary Tyler Moore Show), offers Cody a job at the family lumber mill in exchange for room and board. Although neither Cody nor Faith can ignore the attraction between them, Cody’s hesitant to reveal the fateful connection that brought him to town. Making it especially difficult is something Cody never counted on: Faith’s eager to propose boyfriend. As a new Christmas approaches, Cody has one last opportunity to prove his courage—by taking a chance on love and finding the woman, the home, and the life he’s always wanted.