I count myself among the lucky ones, for my life has been one of laughter, love, fulfillment and adventure. And – with the exception of one truly terrible day – I have been deeply blessed. Growing up in Livingston, we were free-range chickens in every sense – free to explore, play and make our own adventures; perhaps it was simply the times, but that independence shaped who I am today. From an early age, I knew what it meant to have people who believed in me, encouraged my dreams, celebrated my successes but also let me fail. That foundation has carried me through every chapter that followed.

After high school graduation, I headed south to the University of Georgia, majoring in advertising and marketing. I’ll admit, I wasn’t a die-hard Bulldog fan while there, although it was in the Herschel Walker era, but I am now. When people asked, “Why Georgia?” I’d say it had one of the best journalism schools in the country, which was true – but really, it was about the adventure of going somewhere completely new. I wanted to be in a place where I didn’t know a single person – a different part of the country, almost like a social experiment. What I found was a world that opened up to me in every possible way: new experiences, lifelong friendships and a deeper understanding of how to connect with people whose paths were so different than mine. I even met my late husband Pete there.

With Pete it was the kind of connection you recognize instantly. From the very beginning, it was clear that we were meant to share our lives together. Yes, that sounds corny, but what can I say?

Immediately after graduation, we set out on a four-month adventure across Europe. We explored country after country, armed with a Eurail Pass and the Let’s Go Europe guidebook. These travels sparked a lifelong love of exploration and a deep appreciation for our world. In the eighties, I discovered a special place in Greece and had the good fortune to visit many times. As my mother said, “You’re just partying in someone else’s country,” and honestly, why not? The memories still make me smile. Other favorites include exploring the Turkish coast, traveling through Thailand, especially Chiang Mai during the Loy Krathong festival, and discovering a lifelong love affair with New Mexico.

Upon returning from Europe, we were New Orleans bound. I began my career working for the city’s Top 40 radio station. It was the perfect place to start – part work, part celebration and always full of energy. Pete and I married in 1984, and five days later, moved to Atlanta, where I joined a computer software company in an era when the personal computer was only a rumor. Through several acquisitions, I worked my way from sales into sales management, travelling across 48 out of 50 states, and seeing the country in ways few jobs allowed. I wrapped up my time there as vice president of marketing for Prentice Hall Professional Software, grateful for the opportunities and people who shaped that chapter of my career.

In the meantime, our family grew with the arrival of two beautiful daughters, Cardin in 1990 and Avery in 1994, who filled our lives with laughter, energy, and joy. Their days were a whirlwind of soccer, swimming, basketball and travel tournaments, and so, by extension, were ours. I scaled back on work and discovered a passion for community service. I co-founded a working women’s clothing closet that supported women in need reentering the workforce and later served as chair of a DeKalb County Judicial Citizen Review Panel, overseeing foster care cases to ensure these children did not slip through the cracks.

Then, in 2009, my life shifted in a way I could never have imagined. On the only truly terrible day of my life, my husband took his own life. There was no foreshadowing, there were no signs. I awakened to a reality that was painful and surreal, suddenly tasked with raising our daughters – one a freshman in high school, the other a sophomore in college – without him. It was a moment that tested every ounce of strength I had.

In the months that followed, my focus was entirely on my daughters – helping them find their footing while keeping the love and stability of their childhood at the center of their lives. They amazed me with their strength and grace. My husband had been an extraordinary father, deeply invested in every aspect of their lives, and the bond they shared with him was profound. I was determined this would not be forgotten.

The next several years were challenging. Avery was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and after what we thought was a successful surgery, six months later it had spread. Fortunately, she is now 10-years cancer free and hasn’t looked back.

Over time, I came to understand that healing doesn’t come all at once. It arrives in small moments – watching your children smile again, hearing their laughter, seeing them successfully navigate life, establishing incredible careers, marrying amazing men – Ryan and Henry – and gifting me with two beautiful grandsons, Rhodes (2) and Brooks (1).

For myself, I take no day for granted and feel incredibly grateful for the many people whose care and friendship supported us as we moved forward.

Over the past 16 years, I’ve worked in public relations with remarkable colleagues, leading communications through some of the most high-profile and challenging moments, from industrial accidents and environmental crises to tragic losses that drew national attention. I’ve guided companies through major milestones, including going public and navigating complex corporate transitions, and helped showcase Atlanta to the world creating initiatives like Mercedes-Benz’s “Welcome to the A” Super Bowl campaign with Ludacris.

Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of ideating some of the agency’s largest national publicity and experiential campaigns. I built a “Forest of Dreams” in the middle of Times Square, where, in a surprising twist, our old classmate Tommy Hennigan – now my daughter Cardin’s partner in two very successful businesses – was instrumental, and created the No Limits campaign with Mattel and Mercedes-Benz promoting STEM education for young children, which received both national and international recognition.

Looking ahead…who knows what’s next? I hope for continued love, which I’m fortunate to have found for the last 8 years with Fraser, who always makes me smile and laugh, long dinners around the table with family and friends, lots of travel and more of the unexpected joys that make life so rich.

Lastly, I’ve come to realize, through reading our classmates stories, how little we often knew about each other’s lives. I wish I had been more aware of the challenges so many were facing and could have offered more friendship and support along the way. Still, I hope that, in some small way, I was able to make someone smile when they needed it and feel valued. Life is made up of these quiet connections, and it’s those moments of kindness and understanding that leave the most lasting impact.

To Michael, who I count as a friend, thank you for bringing us all together. To all of you, I hope to see you at what will be a wonderful reunion in 2027.