Before Tiny Beautiful Things came to Hulu, Cheryl had found multiple ways to get the word out about “Sugar.” After several years as an advice columnist, Cheryl came forward as the person behind Sugar, which kicked off her podcast, “Dear Sugars.” The “Brave Enough” author co-hosted the podcast with her friend Steven Almond, who was the originator of Sugar.

In 2016, the advice column found a broader audience when Nia Vardalos created a stage play called Tiny Beautiful Things. The Big Fat Greek Wedding star played Cheryl’s version of the advice columnist.

Then, a decade after Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar’s release, Hulu picked up Cheryl’s book for a TV series adaptation.

Each iteration of the advice column has pulled at fans’ heartstrings, and Cheryl believes it happens because of how relatable the issues she discussed in the column were and still are today.

“The most powerful lesson I’ve learned over and over again in writing the Dear Sugar column is how very connected we are,” Cheryl said at the TCAs. “Our lives are original, but our experiences are so very universal—we love, lose, grieve, triumph, and transform our lives in similar ways.

She continued: “We’re profoundly connected, even when we feel alone—and perhaps most deeply when we feel alone. I hope that the show reminds people of that truth. I hope that as they watch the show, they laugh, cry, and remember that for all of us, every day, no matter what stage of life we’re at, that broken is a beautiful place to begin.”

Tiny Beautiful Things premieres on Hulu on Friday, April 7.