My dad, Ray, was a kind, energetic, talented, smart-as-a-whip father, who encouraged my sense of adventure and understood my spirited side. While he worked hard, he was a hands-on dad. He loved horses and even played polo in the army. Dad couldn’t wait to put me on a horse when I was little. According to family lore, I was riding Shetland ponies at my cousin’s farm by the age of 3.

One of the first times I was on a horse by myself, it decided to take off at full canter, much to the horror of my parents. As the horse tore off across the fields with my slight 3-year-old self, my parents were surprised to see the biggest grin they had ever seen appear on my face. And they were amazed that I could hold on and ride without falling off! My dad said from that moment on he never worried about me riding.

And I think that’s one of the things I loved most about my dad—he recognized and trusted in my abilities. He knew what I could handle and let me handle it, even if it seemed like I was too young or not experienced enough. That sense of trust inspired a self-confidence that has helped me throughout my life.

When I was growing up, my parents owned an antique shop, Chatham House, but like everything my dad did, it was not an ordinary furniture store. Chatham House was in a historic mansion on 37th Street in Savannah, Georgia. My mom and dad furnished all the rooms with unique antiques, all of which were for sale, so customers could stroll through all the rooms as if wandering through someone’s home. There was even a chapel where the oriental rugs were displayed. Michael and I would climb on top of huge piles of rugs and play hide and seek amongst old furniture, often scaring each other by leaping out from behind the back stairwell. The idea of selling antiques out of an old home inspired me to open the 1817 Inn in 1992 and, 11 years later, The Inn at Court Square, where much of the furniture is antique and for sale! After 13 years of inn keeping, my parents became my business partners so we could expand and grow even more.

My dad passed away almost 3 years ago now. He would have been 87 on November 27th. I miss his sharp wit, wise advice, fun-loving way with people, vibrant stories, and penchant for gin and soda.

Happy Birthday Dad!