Amazing Woman: Mary Cates

I don't know when Mary became one of my best friends and part of my family. I have known her for years. She ran part of the very first Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon with Altman. Of course I was totally impressed that she was so speedy (and still am). We had mutual friends and they kept me up-to-date on her throughout the years. Like I said, I cannot remember when she became part of our family. It just happened.

We crossed paths often for so many years. She was a producer for WBIR and would invite me for TV spots or help me schedule interviews. A few emails here and there and then we'd chat when I would stop by the station.

We talked and texted and met for lunch. We scheduled some run dates (and yes, she made me faster) and we began to spend more time together.

She is amazing for so many reasons. To me personally, she is amazing because she's been a true friend for so long now. She's seen me laugh and cry. She has seen me ridiculously happy and totally, absolutely miserable. She's given me the great opportunity to be part of her life and I have seen her good and bad too. I have been blessed to be part of so many things including her battle with cancer. I remember getting a text from her that she had gotten married and my heart filled with great happiness at the unexpected news.

Knowing Mary makes me a better person. She convinces me that I am stronger than I think I am and that I can do more than I ever imagined. She is usually right. Her words always bring me back to reality and they always remind me that I deserve happiness and that I have a great support system.

She was the first person to meet Karson (besides Jason and the room full of doctors and nurses). I sent her a note the day we went to the hospital to let her know that he'd be making his debut. We sent notes back and forth all day and she wanted to visit. I had her by-pass the waiting room and come straight to the recovery room where only family was allowed. Jason was chasing Jackson and checking in with friends and I was thrilled to have the company. She was amazing. She wasn't phased by my continual vomiting from the anesthesia and pain meds. And, she took the most amazing pictures of my time with Karson before he went to the NICU. She was there for a few of the most intimate moments of my life and I am so thankful to her for coming to visit and being there with me.

I am so proud of her work as a coach and seeing the positive impact that she is having on local athletes. She puts her heart and soul into helping others and it shows. She is selfless in so many ways.

I am honored to call her my friend. I am blessed to know her and am so happy that she's allowed me to be part of her life. Mary Cates is one of the amazing women in my life.