Happy 34th Birthday Sally Wilkinson

Trey: When I first started hanging around the Singletary family in the summer of 2021, Sally (and Taylor) were already living abroad. While I loved getting to see Sally at Christmas or the occasional wedding, it has been so much better living just 10 minutes away from her over the last six months and really getting to watch her live life. She truly is an incredible businesswoman, mother, and sister‑in‑law, and I learn a ton from her every time we get together. Some of my favorite times with Sally are at Little Rey when Taylor is off somewhere playing with Collins and we get to catch up. Turns out she’s hilarious, especially when the margs kick in! I look forward to making many more memories with Sally in the years to come. Happy birthday!

Lucy: One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot this year is the eight-year age gap between Sally and me, and how much I truly appreciate it now in a way I never fully did before. For most of my life, I really felt “the gap” between us. I was too little and too young. This year, I have grown to appreciate it in a way I haven’t before. 

Sally has always been a little bit of a mom to me, and it’s so special that Sally remembers every year of my life. Now, especially (with Sally in Atlanta and mom in London), there have been many moments when Sally has stepped in and offered the “maternal” care that I didn’t realize I needed. It has been so comforting to have my big sister down the street to ground and guide me. I’ve realized that having someone I trust, almost a decade ahead of me in life, is so special and important as I navigate my twenties. I truly love having Sally not just as my sister, but as someone I can learn from, lean on, and feel looked after by. 

Kyle: The thing I love most about Sally is her appetite for risk. I hear growing up, she was always cautious, just like Collins, but that doesn’t show in her adult life. A move to London, starting her own business, and a move back to Atlanta are all risky ventures. But the thing about risk is that it’s required for a payoff, and it's been awesome to see those dividends start to pay off in a new home, a growing business, and an amazing life. Never stop taking risks; that’s how life becomes boring.

Emily: Sally is the definition of hard-working and supportive. It’s been inspiring to watch her career boom over the last few years, and I have loved every time I've had the pleasure of joining her at an event where industry people recognize her. She is so well respected and loved! Sally is reliable and someone I call whenever I need advice or help. I have always appreciated Sally’s wisdom in life, but now, following in her footsteps as a mom, has been even more special. Sally has a unique way of giving me advice, but also making me feel empowered in my own choices. She never makes me feel dumb and is always there when I need her most. I am SO excited for many more visits to Atlanta this year! I can’t end without also adding how good a mom Sally is to Collins. I hope I am half as good to Vince one day, and I’m so proud of everything Sal does! Happy birthday to our April Fools Salpal!

Taylor: Sal, how could I have managed our life over the past seven months without you? Your constant positivity and clear vision of what you wanted in our home and in our lives have been our guide. 

We’ve never experienced so much change and so many ups and downs in one extended period before. No day has been straightforward or easy, and certainly not according to plan. You’ve faced so much in that time and carried on with your trademark energy. You remain focused on caring for others (Collins and me first of all) and giving of yourself. I am so proud of you, and I love you.

Mum: Happy Birthday, Sally! What a year it’s been, moving from London to Atlanta, settling into a new home, growing your business, dealing with health issues, and raising a two-year-old, all while being a great wife, daughter, and sister. The whole family relies on you. You carry a heavy load, and you handle it all with strength, grace, generosity, and kindness. You are one tough and capable woman! 

I admire you - your resilience, your drive, and the way you show up for your family. I appreciate that you trust me to help with Collins and that you hold me close to your heart. It means the world to me.

I hope you take some time today to celebrate yourself. You’ve earned it. Can’t wait to enjoy the beach with the whole family. Many thanks to you and Taylor.

All my love, Mum

gPa: Reading these this morning, I found myself doing what fathers tend to do, whether we admit it or not. I wasn’t just reading the words. I was tracing the line from the little girl who liked things just so... to the woman who now carries more than most and somehow makes it look steady. There’s a temptation to point to everything you’ve accomplished. The business, the moves, the life you’ve built. But that’s not actually what stands out.

It’s the way people lean on you. Your sister finds grounding in you. Your family finds strength in you. Your husband finds direction in you. Your child finds safety in you. Plenty of people succeed. Far fewer become someone others can count on. You’ve managed to build a life that holds both, in a season that doesn’t offer extra hours or easy days. That doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from who you are.

And if I’m being honest, there’s a quiet satisfaction in watching your oldest go first and go well. You’ve set a standard for what it looks like to build something meaningful without losing yourself or the people around you. That’s a rare thing. So today isn’t really about celebrating what you’ve done. It’s about recognizing who you’ve become. And I couldn’t be prouder to call you my daughter.

Get your Peaches on Route 66

Sally: Happy Birthday, Peachy! The older I get, the more I realise how exceptional a mom we have. I am not sure how Peach does it all. She seems to have an unlimited amount of time and love for each one of her girls, grandchildren, sons-in-law, and gPa. She is our guiding light and ‘do-er’ and keeps us all on track. She also has all of us laughing along the way. In my own journey of motherhood, I find myself constantly thinking ‘what would mom do.’ Peach has shown up so much for Collins and me this year, even living halfway around the world. I am not sure what we would do without our Peach. We love you endlessly and appreciate every little thing you do for us.

Taylor: I love how Cathy doesn’t take life too seriously. She rolls with whatever comes her way. I wonder if she ever thought when she was younger that she’d be traveling the world playing golf, and based in London? Doubtful. But there she is and that’s what she is doing. I’d say that’s a good punch but I can appreciate how every move and transition is hard. And golf is a frustrating game! Especially to pick up later in life. I enjoy my time with her and learn so much from her wisdom. Can’t wait to see you soon Peach!

Trey: One thing I really love about Cathy is how she always shows up for her kids and grandkids, both literally and figuratively. Even though she lives about 4,500 miles away, it feels like she is back in Atlanta within just a few days whenever Sally, Emily, or Lucy needs her. She is incredibly generous with her time and her energy, and it truly shows. She also makes the best chicken enchiladas. She made them for us recently while she was here taking care of Collins, and I am already looking forward to the next time I get to have them. Happy Birthday, Peach!

Emily: Happy birthday to Peach! I don’t think I can say enough this year about how truly lucky I feel to have Mom as my mum, best friend, and in her new role for Vince as Peach! Having my mom with me during childbirth and for 5 weeks afterward was something so special. I am the luckiest daughter in the world! I’ll never forget how comforted I was by her on Vince’s birthday, and I tell anyone who will listen about the benefits of having her with Kyle & me when Vince was in his first few weeks - he’s a good baby because she’s a good Peach! Mom is patient, intuitive, and fun! She lets me be me, whether gabbing daily on phone calls across the pond or while making our way through our never-ending to-do lists, running around Greenwich. I appreciate her more than I can ever express! I love you, Mama! Happy birthday!

Lucy: I love that mom, not only is a great mother, but also a really fun friend!! There are not many 66-year-olds who can run around London with three 26-year-olds for a whole week. Mom not only kept up but also showed👏🏻up👏🏻🛍️🍾!! She was the life of the party, and my friends love her as much as I do! I love chatting on the phone every day about anything and everything. Mom is funny, easy to be around, and full of wisdom. Happy birthday, Mum! Cheers to many more years of friendship and fun!

Kyle: The thing I love most about Cathy is her willingness to help. This year Cathy was such a huge help to Emily and I as we went through a big change in our life. It’s a comforting feeling to know she’s always there to support us and we will always appreciate that.

gPa: For my affirmation, I'm sharing an excerpt from my book. Happy birthday to my heartbeat!

Chapter 8: Building People

During the years when our daughters were growing up, our house sat on a road called Easy Street. That always felt a little too perfect to be accidental.

It was our dream house, the kind you only build once. Cathy and I had taken it down to the studs and rebuilt it room by room until it felt exactly the way we wanted.

The place had energy ......

...... But eventually, I started to appreciate what was really happening during those years on Easy Street. If the house had a heartbeat, it was Cathy. 

I thought we were just opening our home. Cathy understood we were building a space far more important. She created the environment that made it all possible. The food, of course, was part of it. But more than that, she had an instinct for making young people feel both welcome and capable. She gave them space to laugh, to compete, to try new things, and occasionally to fail without embarrassment.

Without drawing any attention to herself, she was doing far more important work than hosting gatherings or cooking meals. She was gently building people.

At the same time, Cathy carried a simple philosophy about raising our daughters. The nest existed to prepare them for flight. From the time our daughters were young, she encouraged them to stretch beyond what felt comfortable. She nudged them toward creative work, new environments, difficult classes, travel, and opportunities that carried a little uncertainty. But the push was always paired with encouragement. The message was simple and steady. You can go farther than you think. And if you stumble along the way, you will still be loved.

That balance is harder than it looks. Too much protection and children never discover their strength. Too much pressure and they begin to believe love must be earned. Cathy somehow navigated the middle ground beautifully. The girls were supported without being sheltered. Encouraged without being controlled. Free enough to become themselves fully.

She also modeled a balance equally important. Our daughters grew up watching their mother build a life that included family, meaningful work, friendships, and community. She invested deeply in all of it. The example she set was subtle but powerful.

A meaningful life does not require choosing between these things. It requires learning how to hold them together. It became clear that the house on Easy Street was more than a home. It became a place where young people were given the space and freedom to become themselves.

Happy 26th Lucy May: We love you

Taylor: It’s been wonderful having Lucy in town. I really can’t believe that she lives here in Atlanta, just down the road from us. I can’t imagine how we would have done our life here without having her (and Trey) nearby. She is so generous with her time and always willing to pick up and help with anything and everything that we need, and we need a lot of help these days! 

The tradition we have created of all meeting up at Little Rey and braving the chaos together. In fact, I just love the tradition of getting together in general. I can’t wait to continue to spend time together. Love you!

Peach: Happy Birthday, Lucy! You have always been such a thoughtful and kind soul, and I hope you know how deeply that is seen and appreciated by all of us. You give so much of your time and energy to the people you love. Whether it’s helping your sisters through pregnancies, moves, and babysitting, or simply being there with encouragement and support, you show up again and again with generosity and grace.

Your creativity is another beautiful gift you share with the world. The stationery, wedding invitations, baby announcements, and party invitations you design bring so much joy to people, especially our family, who are lucky to have your talent whenever we ask. You put your heart into everything you create.

I admire your strength and faith, and the way you stepped into a new chapter by moving to a new city with Trey. You handle life’s changes with such courage and calm, and you do it all without complaining, just steady, faithful, and loving.

You are not only an amazing daughter but also a wonderful friend to so many. I feel so grateful that we just spent such a special week together in London with friends. Those memories mean so much to me.

Lucy, you make life brighter for everyone around you. I hope this year brings you the same kindness, joy, and love that you give so freely to others.

Happy Birthday. I love you so much.

Emily: Lucy has been such a rock for me during the last year and she really showed up for me through my entire pregnancy journey! I love our daily phone calls while walking the dogs, where we discuss anything and everything. Lucy is supportive AND such a doer! She helped throw me the most beautiful baby shower, helped over Christmas time once Vince arrived, and I know everyone could go on with how helpful she can be. I love that Lu is my best friend and can’t wait for all that is to come in her 26th year!

Sally: I love that this year I’ve gotten to experience living in the same city as Lucy for the first time since 2010. Fifteen years later, it has been a joy to be right down the road from each other. She continues to be the best sister, aunt, friend, and work colleague I could ask for! I’m proud of the way she is taking Atlanta by storm and letting the game come to her. She has handled a big change with a lot of grace and patience, and I look up to that as we navigate change ourselves. Having Lucy and Trey in Atlanta has been the silver lining of our year. We love you both. Happy birthday, Lucy!!

gPa: Wow, LuLu, it's 26 times around the sun. You are so special to me and to all of our family. Your steadiness, intuition, and fortitude are such a gift and an inspiration. Thanks for sending Trey to my TEDx Talk - that meant the world to me. Thanks for helping Sal and T so much with baby Collins and Sal with her business. Meanwhile, you continue to flourish as an entrepreneur and a creator. Thanks for being my daughter! I love you with all my heart and soul.

Kyle: Nothing shows my love more than how impressed I am with your work every time I get to see it. From wedding invites to custom dance floors and even custom wrapping paper. Every time I see a new design or project, I’m truly blown away and show it to everyone. Keep up the good work, and I cannot wait to see what new projects there are for this year.

Trey: Lucy is my best friend in the entire world. Through all the highs and lows of moving to two new cities and states in three years, she has been steadfast, encouraging, and joyful. She is a constant reminder of God's faithfulness and goodness each day, and I am so thankful for her.

I am also so proud of how she has grown her business while balancing her work with Sally Wilkinson Design and being the best dog mom ever. I honestly do not know how she handles our crazy dog every single day.... She is the best!!!

I love you so much, Lucy, and I cannot wait to see what year 26 brings!

Happy 26th LuLu: from one word to one number

Hey boo. Happy birthday - NUMBER 26.

Last year, I asked everyone to share a word that reminded them of Lucy, and I created a beautiful heart-shaped Word-arama in your honor. It was thoughtful. Reflective. Slightly emotional.

However, I later learned you felt shortchanged because everyone else received full sentences. So this year I’ve taken things up a notch.

I asked everyone to send me a number that reminds them of Lucy.

No limits. Just a number.

• Some picked meaningful numbers.
• Some picked random ones.
• One person may have misunderstood the assignment entirely.
• One might be a WiFi code

Anyway, please enjoy your very special 26th Birthday Number-rama.

You’re welcome, and I love you!