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.
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