Hello! If you’re thinking, “Dear Kate? Wait… who’s Kate?” — fair question. Don’t worry, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. There’s a fun little origin story behind the name, and I can’t wait to let you in on it.​ ​

The Story Behind “Dear Kate”

Kate was the wife of a former (and favorite!) boss — a woman I admired for her effortless blend of class and ease. Elevated but never out of reach. Quick to laugh, wise in her observations, generous in spirit, and deeply authentic. She was the kind of woman who could walk into a room and somehow make everyone else feel a little more themselves. I’ve carried her presence with me for years.

My daughter, Katie, is named after her — and she’s a living reminder of the deep, complicated, beautiful journey of motherhood that shaped me into the woman and writer I am today. Our adoption journey was one of the reasons I wrote ​Off-Script: A Mom’s Journey Through Adoption, a Husband’s Alcoholism, and Special Needs Parenting​, and one of the reasons I’m so passionate about helping other women tell stories that matter.

Woven through that inspiration is the Kate Spade aesthetic I’ve always adored: clean lines, strong structure, fresh color, and a sense of being beautifully put together without chasing perfection. Stylish but not fussy. Elevated but still accessible. Playful yet grounded. Exactly the signature style that defines Dear Kate.

So when I began writing to women like you—women who are emerging, reclaiming their stories, and stepping into who they’ve always been becoming—“Kate” just felt right.

Kate can be Katherine, Kat, Katie, Kathy… She’s all of us, in every era.

Dear Kate is a note to each version of you--authentic, relatable, honest, and hopeful—just like the Kates who inspired it. ​ Warmly,