Hi friends, Anastasia & Mare here (aka the sisters who coordinate shenanigans with Kula Cloth)... with a VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Our mom, Kathleen, is the OG Kula fan... from DAY 1.
And she's turning 70 today (May 18th!).
True story: our mom backpacks and hikes more than we do... I (Anastasia) took her snowshoeing last year... and on a backpacking trip that was so challenging I likely wouldn't have taken ANY of my friends on it. Our mom went on her very first backpacking trip when she was in her mid-50s... and since she started, she's hiked through Iceland... the Grand Canyon... and completed the Wonderland Trail (and MANY, MANY more).
She was recently interviewed by Jason from the Texas Trailblazing Podcast... talking about aging, and hiking -- and it's a super inspiring interview:
It's safe to say that some of you are probably here today because you met our mom on a trail, where she gave you a Kula Cloth. I have (literally) seen her chase down a person with a 'knock off' Kula on their backpack... just to introduce herself as the mother of the founder of the, 'real' Kula Cloth company... and to give that person a real Kula.
Needless to say, she's a pretty dedicated and amazing mom -- and while we know she is feeling some anxiety about turning 70 years old -- to be honest, she could leave most people in the dust while hiking.
When we were kids, my mom encouraged us to spend as much time outside as possible -- she planned a 5 week camping trip when I was 13 years old, that sealed the deal for me (Anastasia): I knew that I was going to become a park ranger. When I was only 12 years old, she tirelessly drove me to violin lessons and to my volunteer 'job' for the National Park Service. Just over a decade later, I actually did become a Park Ranger, in large part due to the opportunities I had as a child. We don't take any of these experiences for granted and we credit my mom, in large part, to cultivating our deep love for nature and stewardship.
But, hiking and Kula fan-girling aside: let's mention the important things... she is a kind human, a loyal friend, a wonderful mother, and a devoted grandmother.
So, PLEASE join us in wishing her a happy birthday... and leave an inspirational comment, story, quote or uplifting thought BELOW (in the comment section!). She will read all of them, and I know it would mean a lot to her.
Love,
Anastasia (Kathleen's Daughter) and the Founder of Kula Cloth + Mare (Kathleen's other daughter) and the person who does marketing for Kula all the weird social media stuff that makes you laugh)
P.S.
Mom, looking forward to our backpacking trip this year and I promise, it'll be on trail this time (mostly). - A
101 comments
You are an inspiration! Happy happy birthday ( and MANY MORE!)
I know you are proud of your girls( as you should be!) Cheers to a great year ahead!
P.S. Coming up on my 70th this year as well- we’ll keep making it look good! 😊
Happy birthday Kathleen,
You are such an inspiration to many. I love listening to your stories during the morning dance experiment. I admire you! I hope I am still hiking when I turn 70. I can tell that you are an awesome mom! Enjoy your day, week, month and year!
Happy birthday Kathleen! It’s so joyful to hear about the wonderful things you and your daughter do. You two don’t know me but I adore the emails from Anastasia. I make her recipe suggestions, share her stories with my friends, and of course, always carry my kula when I’m on the trail hiking and telling my friends all about them. I refer to her as “my friend Anastasia.” She’s so lucky to have a mom like you! I hope you have an enormity of delights in store for you this new decade and beyond! Wishing you tremendous birthday love from Davis, CA. 🥳
Happy Birthday, Kathleen!!
Remember age is just a number…
Happiest of Birthdays Kathleen! Glad you are Anastasias momma!