The Tracey Trio takes Florida (Pt. II)

March 15, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

It’s been a week and I’m still daydreaming of our time in Florida. I’m really missing the beach, the sand in my toes and the sea breeze this afternoon.

Last Friday, we attempted to see the sunrise with no luck. But it was still such a fun experience to be at the dog beach again with less people and pets running around. Linley, of course, had to mark his territory and say hello to strangers every chance he could. That’s one of many things about him that I love so much; he makes himself at home wherever we go.

Lin was in no mood for fetch!

After some fun in the sand, we hung out and had a pretty relaxing morning. You better believe we found another beach to hang out at in the afternoon though, and that was even more private than the dog beach in Panama City. St. Joe Beach, about 45 minutes from our AirBnB, was perfect; we enjoyed collecting shells, walking as a family along the water and the entire afternoon was the “pause button” I really needed.

Like I said in my previous post: I always get so emotional reflecting on all the times Lin and I have enjoyed the beach together. He used to be my little beach buddy when it was just the two of us, and Alex was that missing piece that we never knew we needed (but so badly wanted!)

After s’more fun in the sun, we grabbed lunch in St. Joe and had a relaxing afternoon of good food, conversation and laughs.

After lunch, we headed to this super cool brewery and cocktail bar before cooking at our place. I enjoyed some snacks and two mocktails while Alex had a beer and a cocktail afterward. Linley kept getting attention and we all had some fun with my heart glasses.

I’d imagine this is how Lin sees the world

Between our afternoon pit stop and heading back home for the evening, I wanted to see the sunset because our first night was such a flop due to the fog. And we got lucky because it was absolutely beautiful! Linley was a bit fussy haha, but we enjoyed it regardless.

Our first official sunset on the beach 🥹

I can’t wait for our next adventure!

Media taken Friday, March 6, 2026

The Tracey Trio takes Florida (Pt. I)

March 11, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Last weekend, the three of us had a great time in Florida. It was my first time in the panhandle and Linley’s first time in Florida altogether. Our roadtrips and long weekends away are something I’ll always cherish, and am already missing so much (we got back on Sunday!)

We started our day on Thursday by exploring a couple places for lunch and nice views in the afternoon. Then once our AirBnB was ready for check-in, we relaxed on the patio for a little while. We all enjoyed soaking up some sun!

Our first sunset wasn’t the most successful, given that it suddenly became extremely foggy as we drove to the dog-friendly beach nearby. It was such a bummer because we really wanted to see it, but we were able to enjoy a sliver of it.

When I look back at these photos and videos, I get emotional because I love these moments together more than I can put into words. And I’ve genuinely enjoyed soaking up every sunset and sunrise with Linley over these past eight years, and now we get to do the same with Alex.

On a lighter note, of course our boy had to sniff and dig around in the sand!

And as much as Linley enjoys the beach, he doesn’t enjoy his post-beach routine (but we do!)

Media taken Thursday, March 5, 2026 in Panama City Beach, Florida🌴

Bamboo forest in my backyard

March 6, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Who knew Atlanta had a bamboo forest? I certainly didn’t, and the crazier part is that it’s near the dog beach we take Linley to all the time! I’m off this week and enjoyed my Tuesday “staycation” by frolicking in the woods with my best bud.

Our total hike time was five hours(!) but I’d only anticipated about two or three. Luckily, Lin and I kept going and didn’t get tired out. The only times we stopped was when we wanted to take pictures, meet strangers or when one of Linley’s pack leaders of Two Chicks and a Pack recognized him. He’s basically a celebrity in Atlanta now 🤣

We easily could’ve (and probably should’ve) parked in a closer lot to the bamboo forest, and Alex apologized for giving us the wrong directions. But honestly, who could get mad at getting lost in the woods with their best friend? I certainly can’t, and “not all who wander are lost.” 💛 Plus all the meandering led us to meeting some friendly pups and humans!

Parcore!

Crunch crunch crunch crunch crunch!

Lin was like the energizer bunny and kept a great pace the entire time! But rightfully so, he needed a break and was exhausted! He was such a good boy getting back to the car and I took him to the pet store on our way back home.

I can’t wait until next time 🫶

Media taken Tuesday, March 3, 2026 on the East Palisades Trail in Atlanta, Georgia

Hiking with the guys in North Carolina

March 5, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 1 Comment

Something I always enjoyed doing with Linley was hiking, so the fact that I have a husband and friends who want to tag along is so much fun; the more the merrier! We found a hiking trail near our AirBnB last weekend and it was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. Although it was warmer and a steeper slope than we expected, we had a ton of fun!

After a couple good meals for lunch and dinner, and LOTS of laughs, we enjoyed a cozy night in.

Next stop: Florida!

Media taken Saturday, February 28 in North Carolina

Foggy Sunrises

March 4, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 3 Comments

In my previous post, I talked about my appreciation for a good sunset nowadays. But if you’ve been following along for a while and remember some of my Chicago dog beach posts, y’all know how much I love a good sunrise! It’s a start of a new day, chapter or beginning in general. And sharing those quiet moments with Linley has meant the world to me over the course of these eight and a half years! Last weekend in North Carolina was no exception of that…

Saturday morning

Sunday morning

Media taken Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Murphy, North Carolina 🌅

North Carolina Sunset

March 3, 2026 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

I used to love the sunrise because it symbolized more than a new day, but also a new beginning and a fresh start. Ever since I found more peace and healing from my past, I’ve grown to appreciate a sunset in the same way; I know something good isn’t ending for me and that it’s simply starting over.

I’m facing growing pains now: learning which friendships are ones I want to continue cultivating in this chapter, am starting my own business while joining a new company next week, and am seeing a new therapist to help me through current challenges. But for the most part, I’m in a happy and healed place, so it’s time to celebrate all the moments life has to offer post-“survival mode” like before.

Last weekend, Alex, Linley and two of our closest friends and I went to a small town called Murphy, North Carolina for a friend’s weekend. Our first night at the cabin was so much fun because we relaxed outside, enjoyed stunning views, and laughed in each other’s company. It was cute seeing Linley soak it all in, too!

I look forward to more adventures with the guys and am going to cherish all these moments as they come.

Media taken Friday, February 27, 2026 in Murphy, North Carolina

Just a really great weekend

February 19, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

Do you ever have those weekends where you wish every weekend were like that? That’s how I felt on Friday the 13th (a holiday I love to celebrate), Valentine’s Day (a day a hardly celebrate) and the day after.

I’m grateful that I’m starting to feel at home in Atlanta again, that I finally have a truer sense of community and that I’m continuing to meet new people, try new things and experience true joy.

Lin sleeping with one of his actual stuffies

I also had a lovely dinner with a dear friend, coffee with another friend and her daughter, a fun Lunar New Year concert with Alex and a great dance class this week. Although I love staying busy, I’m excited for a lazy weekend!

Media taken Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15, 2026 🧧

Playing in the snow & feeling like a kid again

February 6, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 4 Comments

Last Saturday, Alex and I felt like kids again while sledding up in Michigan. My parents still had some sleds and we headed to a hill I’d sled on as a kid all the time. My dad was so sweet to not only drive us there, but video us going down the hill!

I hadn’t went sledding in three or four years, and it’d been almost 20 years for Alex! We had a blast and it was so sweet to have these moments captured. I can’t wait for next time 🫶

And while we were sledding up in Michigan, Lin enjoyed some snow down here in Georgia!

Media taken Saturday, January 31, 2026✨

Reminiscing

January 25, 2026January 26, 2026 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

Today has been a strange one: Alex’s grandmother passed, and it never snowed. I was so looking forward to visiting Lau Lau more and was looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year with her next month. The last time I saw her was Christmas and I wish I’d spent more time with her — both then and in general.

And is not seeing snow in Atlanta a big deal today? No. But the snow always makes me think of Michigan, my former home, and always makes me think of fond memories there. I’m not close with family but I am close with my parents, so I’m inevitably missing them more today. The snow always brought us together, even when things were distant.

I miss Lau Lau already and wish I could’ve spent more time with her. I don’t have a relationship with my parent’s moms, and it was warming to have Lau Lau welcome me the way she did. And I miss my parents and I wish my relationship with them was less strained. I wish I didn’t feel guilt about distancing myself, both physically and emotionally, from family members who’ve repeatedly hurt me before. Maybe I wish they’d never have hurt me at all. I’m just thinking about family and the complexity of it so much today.

What I can control is my new immediate family: Alex and Linley. Together, we’re the Tracey Trio, and before that, it felt like Linley and me against the world.

In honor of this, I wanted to post some media in reverse chronological order, ranging from our big Atlanta snow storm last January, all the way to Linley’s first ever time seeing snow in 2017. Atlanta is our new home now, but home is wherever my heart is, and my heart is always whole with my two favorite guys. And although I’m not religious but am definitely spiritual, I know Lau Lau is with her husband again, and I hope her heart is full as well. 🥹

I’m happiest when…

December 22, 2025 / Cate Tracey / 2 Comments

My insomnia has significantly improved this week and I’m beyond grateful for that! The irony is that I’m up now, just past 1:30am my time, but it’s mainly due to sleeping off a migraine I had yesterday evening. I hope I can get some sleep shortly, but since I’m here, I wanted to write about when I’m the happiest. I saw someone else write about this recently and loved the idea, so I’m jumping in…

I’m happiest when I feel at peace with the past. I’m happiest when Linley is snoring and sandwiched in bed between Alex and me (like right now!) I’m happiest when I have balance in my life. I’m happiest when I have conversations with thought-provoking and creative friends and strangers. I’m happiest when I feel like I truly belong in Alex’s family. I’m happiest when a difficult past memory is nothing more than a moment, not an hour or day or period of sorrow.

I’m happiest when I see Alex and Linley running on the beach together. I’m happiest when I don’t let what happened in my past give me anxiety about the future. I’m happiest when I’m on a roadtrip or on a flight, about to have a new adventure. I’m happiest when that adrenaline rush hits while I’m doing something fun! I’m happiest when I feel a true sense of community in family, work and life. I’m happiest when I can be outside with Alex and Linley. I’m happiest when I’m on or near the water. I’m happiest when the guilt and shame that can consume me sometimes is finally set free.

I’m happiest when I let go of trying to impress other people. I’m happiest when people respect my boundaries, including myself. I’m happiest when I have a good conversation with a friend after a long day. I’m happiest when I can make an impact, even if it’s a small. I’m happiest when a friend and I catch up, especially if time has passed, and we pick up right where we left off. I’m happiest when my inbox is empty. I’m happiest when I’m away from my phone (yes, I see the irony in this…)

And I’d say I’m happiest when I finally stop putting the weight of the world on my shoulders!

I look forward to taking steps to ensure 2026 is a much lighter year. I need to heal.

Photos taken January – November, 2025✨

Another weekend with Ellie

December 15, 2025 / Cate Tracey / Leave a comment

Ellie is our aunt’s and uncle’s 15-year-old pup, and boy do I absolutely love her! She’s practically nocturnal, gets random zoomies late at night and early in the morning, and she snores so loud all day… but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love our weekends (aka: “puppy parties”) with her, and we can’t wait to get Thing 1 and Thing 2 reunited on Christmas!