When my husband Kyle and I look back on the early days of our life together, Louie and Millie will always hold a special place in the story. Long before we became parents, these two were truly our first “children,” and they’ve been right alongside us through every stage of life since.

I’m Kimberly Kenyon, and my husband Kyle and I moved to Marietta Country Club in October of 2021 after living in Brookhaven. I grew up in the area, and Kyle is from Woodstock, so being close to family was always important to us. One of the things we love most about living here is how quickly it began to feel like home. The neighborhood is full of wonderful families, and it’s been special getting to know the people our kids are growing up with. Being close to school and having so many great neighborhood amenities nearby has made everyday life here easy and enjoyable.

Of course, no introduction to our family would be complete without Louie and Millie.

Louie, our English Cream Labrador Retriever, just celebrated his 10th birthday, and Millie, our Golden Retriever, is seven. English Cream Labs are known for their beautiful light-colored coats, which almost look white in the sun, and Louie fits the description perfectly. Between the two of them, there’s never a shortage of personality, energy, or love in our home.

Louie came first. Kyle and I were living in Atlanta near Bobby Jones Golf Course when we brought him home in March of 2016. At the time, it was just the three of us navigating city life together, and Louie quickly became the center of it all. He was our constant companion on walks, weekend outings, and just about every quiet evening at home.

A few years later, in 2019, we decided it was finally time to give Louie the sibling we had always talked about. That’s when Millie joined the family. To be honest, Louie wasn’t exactly thrilled about sharing the spotlight at first. But over time, the two of them grew into the sweetest pair. Now they’re truly inseparable and balance each other in the most charming way.

Their names actually came about in the simplest way possible. When we first met Louie, the name just seemed to fit him perfectly. He had such a sweet face and an easygoing personality, and “Louie” had that warm, classic sound we loved. When Millie came along, we wanted something that paired nicely with Louie but still felt like her own name. “Millie” had a playful softness to it that matched her bright expression and gentle personality. Together, Louie and Millie just sounded right, like they were always meant to go together.

If there’s one thing that truly defines both of them, it’s their absolute love for water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lake, a stream, or now the pool in our backyard. If water is nearby, they are in it immediately. They’re happiest splashing, swimming, and exploring anything that even remotely resembles a shoreline.

They love their daily walks just as much. One of our favorite places to take them is the Gilbert Trail down the road. When it’s quiet and no one else is around, we’ll sometimes let them off leash so they can run and explore. Watching them sprint through the trees, sniff every new scent, and chase each other down the trail has become one of the best parts of our day.

Despite being the best of friends, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Louie is perfectly happy lounging around the house, usually stretched out in whatever sunny spot he can find. Millie, on the other hand, is our high-energy girl. She’s always alert, always watching, and always ready to bolt out the door if she senses even the slightest possibility of an adventure.

They each have their own little talents too. Louie is our gentleman. He gives the most polite and intentional handshake you could imagine, as if he’s greeting you properly every single time. Millie is the athlete of the family. She can catch a ball in midair from more than fifty feet away and somehow makes it look effortless.

When it comes to treats, they aren’t particularly picky. In fact, their favorite “snacks” are usually whatever the kids happen to drop on the floor. They take their role as the household cleanup crew very seriously and rarely miss a crumb. As for toys, they’ll happily play with just about anything that captures their attention.

Some of our favorite memories with Louie and Millie come from the time before we had kids, when we traveled with them more often. It was always fun watching them experience new places, whether that meant running along the beach or exploring the mountains.

One trip that stands out was when we took them to the Montage at Palmetto Bluff. They absolutely loved exploring the Lowcountry, and the trip ended up being the last getaway we took before our first baby arrived, which made it even more special. We also took them to Highlands, North Carolina during their very first snowfall. Watching them bound through the snow for the first time was something we’ll never forget.

These days, their favorite places are a little closer to home. Louie and Millie love neighborhood walks and any chance to swim in the backyard pool. We also take them regularly to the Battlefield on Stilesboro Road and the Gilbert Trail, which have become some of their favorite adventure spots.

If they could plan their own perfect day, it would probably be simple: a long walk through the neighborhood followed by as much swimming as possible. They’re true water dogs at heart, and nothing makes them happier than being outside, exploring, and splashing around.

For us, Louie and Millie have been there through every chapter - city living, travel adventures, moving into our home at MCC, and now life with kids running around. They may have started as our first “children,” but today they’re simply part of the heart of our family.