Kate Howard was introduced to the General Hospital in May 2007 when she walked into Sonny's office unannounced and demanded the use of a phone because her car had broken down.

Years earlier, her and Sonny dated as teenagers, and had planned to run away together, but on the night they were to leave, she stood him up. She later explained to him that she had decided that she would rather pursue her dreams of having a career than date him at that time.