In 1999, Steve and Garnie were out for a jog when they heard bulldozers in a nearby field. They stopped the driver, asked why he was clearing trees and he replied that he didn’t know the purpose, but it was likely for the development of a subdivision.

That moment was the clarion call: It propelled Steve to protect not just the property around ours, but the greater Chattahoochee Hill Country. Had it not happened the way it did—luckily the owner was just having land cleared for an airstrip—Serenbe would not be what it is today.

Six years later, this land wasn’t just a place Steve and I lived with our girls—it was a community. The first resident moved here in 2005 and now here we are, a decade down the road, with 475 residents. We survived ups, downs—including the economic blowout—and are now building our third neighborhood. Serenbe has become so much more than we could’ve ever conceptualized.

So we came together over food, as is our way. Jim ‘N Nick’s brought the barbecue and each resident brought a dish. We all gathered to eat and talk very near the fateful spot where Steve and Garnie heard that bulldozer.

Everyone received buttons bearing the year they first bought in the community. Just as I was saying I wished I’d had one made for myself, my daughter Quinn, who helped organize the event, held out her hand. In it was five 1991 buttons for the family, and we pinned them on proudly. 

We had three guest speakers: our land planner, Phil Tabb; Rodney Peek, the 6^th generation of Peeks to live on Hutcheson’s Ferry, the road that borders the Inn; and Tom Reed, Serenbe resident and the mayor of the CHC. Before they spoke, Steve and I welcomed everyone: He spoke about the process of Serenbe and I talked about its energy and emotion. It was so heartening to look at all those people. We created Serenbe because we saw the construction and destruction of north Fulton County and set out to show that there was a better way.

 

Anyone can create a housing development—it takes very special people to create a community.

We had no idea that Serenbe would become an international model for development, creating community and its effects on health, wellness and what I call our “being-ness.” Steve and I are the foundational energy, but it’s the residents who bring the true light that’s being noticed all over the world. I wanted them to know that Steve and I don’t take that for granted, and how graced we feel by everyone’s presence.

A little while later, I realized I hadn’t said everything in my heart and stood up to speak again. I thanked our three daughters for being as passionate as—and often more passionate than—Steve and I when it comes to this magical place outside Atlanta. Years ago, one of our first residents introduced the family to some friends of hers at the Daisy and described us each perfectly:

Steve is the director of vision.

I am the director of beauty.

Garnie is the director of operations.

Kara is the director of care.

Quinn is the director of fun.

Some day, when Steve and I “go off and dream,” as Garnie calls it, our girls will move the vision forward. And it is in very capable hands.

So we broke bread together and celebrated this space we’ve all created—a space full of openness and possibility. Just as my mother before me, I was born to nourish people, and did so that day with this carrot slaw. There was plenty left over, which was just fine with me. You never know who’s going to show up at the table, hungry for something different.

 

Carrot Slaw

• Serves 4
• 12 carrots, grated
• 1 cup parsley sprigs, chopped
• 1 cup scallions, chopped
• 1 ¼ cups extra virgin oil
• 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons kosher slat
• 1 tablespoon pommery mustard
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Place parsley, carrots and scallions in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, salt, mustard and garlic. Toss vinaigrette with carrots, scallions and parsley. Add more salt to taste. Serve at room temperature.