When I first met Cathy outside the Monteleone before our pre-cruise party in New Orleans, she looked excited and terrified, but in a tough New Jersey kinda way (a dash of Snooki). I wanted to share her coming home and coming out story with you. Here it is in her own words:
This journey was golden for me, literally from start to finish. Meeting you that first night and the way you welcomed me, set the tone for everything to follow. It was golden. You are golden. I had never taken a trip alone in my life. I was scared to death, but from the moment you started chatting with me as we walked to the first party in New Orleans, I never felt alone.
From your staff to your glee ambassadors to Diana, Kruiser, Frankie, everyone welcomed me along. I was so fortunate to meet and hang out DJ Dirty Kurty, Jen Corday, Wendy and The Flawless ladies, Chantal and the list goes on. I got to enjoy each port getting to know a different group of interesting women. I was not only entertained, but enlightened and inspired. I’m so glad I was involved in the beach clean-up, what a day to remember! I miss them all and I hope they will be in Cozumel in September. Did I mention that the music rocked? I love to dance. I didn’t stop all week.
When I was on that ship, I wanted to shout out to the whole world who I really am. I came home on a mission to tell my family and friends. I tried to hold onto that feeling of support and unity I felt all week on the trip and one by one, I told them. My close friends, my brother, my sister, and my mother all know now, and they still love me. I was just about to tell my son and daughter, but my son decided to surprise us all with his engagement to his long time girlfriend. I didn’t want to pull them off their cloud, so I held off a bit. Telling them will be the hardest thing, but before this week is out, they will know, too. I just can’t wait any longer to start living my life openly.
I went to Henrietta Hudson’s in NYC and gave my favorite bartender a Sweet T-shirt and told her and everyone there how great Sweet is. Hopefully, the word will spread and you’ll keep doing this a very long time. I have a lot of catching up to do, and I wish I could come on every vacation you plan. For now, I’ll just have to wait and see you next September.
I just want to thank you again, not just for a great trip, but for your kindness to me. Thank you, too, for filling the ship with some of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. You did everything right. I don’t know how, but you did.
It brings to mind something a very special woman said to me a long time ago: “I can’t believe it was your first time!”
01/12/10
10:18 am
AWESOME, Cathy you rock, I loved your energy, your excitement and your being, and of course your from Jersey, so that made it 1000% better
Hope to see you soon 