Alex and I are recovering from a nasty case of the flu (we’re incredibly lucky we’re vaccinated!), and the sweats make me wish for another snow day. Here in Atlanta, snow is rare but we were blessed with two winter storms that made me feel like we were suddenly in Michigan.
Linley and I certainly missed this snow, but what made the first snow day extra special was spending it with Alex. The three of us have never had a fun-filled day in winter wonderland before, and we hope to have many more!
Atlanta is always beautiful, but I especially love it during the holidays. This is my second holiday season in ATL and I’m incredibly lucky to call this city my home. 💛
Here are some amazing places to check out if you’re around for the holidays:
October has brought more positive changes than I’d expected it would. I accepted a job offer at a new company, I was able to see one of my best friends get married, found out that one of my best friends is expecting her second daughter, and a birthday that could’ve felt lonely didn’t — thanks to Alex’s family and our friends here in Atlanta.
I hope that the rest of 2024 brings positivity, calmness and reflection for all of us. 💛
Exploring new places in Atlanta
Volunteering with animals
Enjoying another Atlanta United game
Apple picking and wineries in North Georgia
Courtney’s and Chris’s wedding!
Quality time with Alex’s family
Quality time with Lin and good friends during my birthday weekend
It’s hard to believe that on August 3, 2023 I got on a plane to meet Alex for the very first time. And the day after, I told Alex I wanted to be his girlfriend, and wanted him to be my boyfriend. I had such a great weekend recreating our first weekend together — even though things looked different this year (one of our best friends stayed with us through the weekend since her roommates had covid, and we’d just found out that Linley needed surgery).
On Friday, August 2, Alex, our friend and I went to one of our favorite Thai places in Midtown Atlanta, followed by a late-night trip to Bantam for some drinks. Saturday, August 3 was full of memories from the previous year: Torched Hop brunch, time with Alex and Linley at the Westside Motor Lounge and Scofflaw Brewing, then our friends Alex G. and Tyler joined us for some margs nearby and a nice dinner at Ruby’s Chows — our favorite “fancier” place to go. Sunday, August 4 was spent the five of us (including Lin!) until I joined the Alex’s at Park Bar and another great Atlanta United soccer game.
Not only was the weekend special because of Alex and Lin, but also because I didn’t know Tyler and Alex G. a year ago. I feel blessed to have such incredible friends, and an incredible partner in my new home. ❤
September 9 | One year in Atlanta (and Lin’s Gotcha Day!)
One year ago today, I celebrated six years of adopting Linley… and today I’m celebrating seven years as his best friend! On this day last year, Linley, my dad and I all arrived in Atlanta for moving day — where Linley met his new dad for the first time. Alex and Linley have bonded since day one, making these past two “gotcha days” so incredibly special. AND Linley’s doing great but he needed an overnight surgery last month, which gives us all the more reason to celebrate.
I look forward to more years and memories to come. ❤
It’s been way too long since I’ve posted, and the main reason had to do with my back injury. Early April until recently, I’ve been dealing with two herniated discs and a tear in my lower back. I’m writing this as I lay in our Alexandria, Virginia AirBnB — grateful for the ability to walk without crutches anymore and the opportunity to travel again!
Alex, Linley and our dear friends and family made my recovery process so much better — and I tried celebrating the small wins and good moments with great people.
I look forward to sharing more about our East coast adventures in the coming weeks. ☺️
As soon as I moved to Atlanta, I knew I wanted to start taking dance classes. But I had NO idea that I would ever be performing hip hop in front of an audience (let alone four!)
Dance has always been a big part of my life even though I’ve only “formally” taken dance in kindergarten. I was always at friends’ houses, family get togethers and school dances tearing up the dance floor. In college going out dancing was always my favorite thing to do — even when “going out” wasn’t my thing in general. I pushed myself to take fitness, Latin and hip hop dance classes in the fall and haven’t looked back.
In January, I signed up for my local studio’s performance series: ten weeks of rehearsal for a four-show series during St. Patty’s Day weekend. Myself and eight others dressed like we were in a marching band and moved to the music and crowd cheering us on.
It was such a blessing getting closer with some of my current dance friends — and also making new ones! Some of my closest friends are from dance101 studio and this hip hop group, and all the hard work and laughter along the way only strengthened our bond. I’m incredibly proud of my group and the seven others who performed during the spring shows with us.
Our halfway mark in early February!
Rehearsal videoDress rehearsal photo, where everyone thought we were mimes!
Low quality video of a high quality weekend
Alex was at all four shows, and our friends Liz, Quinten, Ariel and Pardon also came to support me! Aunt Susan and Uncle Ray even came to a show and looked like proud family members! It meant so much to me and having all of them there (especially Alex!) made me feel the most loved I’ve felt in a long time.
I wore my Linley necklace every night!
Although the performance weekend is over, I never want this feeling of love and this high of performing to end 💛
Photos and videos taken February and March 2024 at dance101.
You heard me; I believe this place and the people here are magical! And here’s why…
December gave me a new love for the holidays and Christmas spirit — one I hadn’t felt in a few years. Alex and I had so much fun before and during the holidays that I’m genuinely sad they’re over!
St. Louisa’s for organ karaoke
I haven’t sang or listened to karaoke in years, but our buddy Quinten told us about this old church-turned-bar with organ karaoke… and we couldn’t miss it! Alex and I have been twice now, and I’m sure 2024 will bring us more singing, dancing and laughing here — as well as pretending to be ping pong pros!
Botanical Garden for Christmas lights
We’d been to the Botanical Garden with our friend Emily in September, but visiting during the holidays was a completely different and unforgettable experience. Although the drinks weren’t cheap, they were good and the music, light variety and company were great. 💛 Alex and I were super impressed with the coordination of the lights with the Christmasy jazz playing.
Kat’s Cafe for jazz music
Sticking with the jazz theme, Alex and I enjoyed ourselves at this dive club in Midtown. This wasn’t as upscale as Cliff Bell’s in Detroit, but it didn’t need to be! The music, atmosphere and martinis were amazing.
Cirque du Soleil for an incredible show
Seldom am I speechless, but this show blew me away! The acrobatics, comedic bits and overall production took my breath away. I’m beyond grateful that Alex made my first show so special, and even though he’s been quite a few times, it was special for him too!
Christmas Market for a friend date
After Thanksgiving I made a new friend at the dog park, and we finally hung out before the holidays. Ariel, Alex and I had a blast drinking mulled wine, laughing our butts off and getting to know each other!
Roswell Mill for a family hike
On New Year’s Eve we took Linley on a hike just outside of Atlanta — which was just right for all of us! We look forward to more adventures and hikes as a trio. 🤗
To feel a true sense of belonging and welcoming from Alex and his family means more than I can’t put into words.
When I was living in the Midwest, I had to scramble to find alternate holiday plans. I don’t mean to be a Grinch with what I share below, but I do want to set the tone for how past holidays with my immediate family would go: There was absolutely no way that I would spend a day of gratitude and love with my brother and his wife who I’m estranged from, or parents who will never love me the way they love my brother, or family members who judged me for being with men who weren’t white, for my tattoos or for my willingness to go to therapy to break our toxic family cycles of generational trauma. Short story long: I always spent time with friends and their families to avoid what I would deem as nothing short of toxic.
The only cousin I’m close to and her fiancé Ben visited us a couple weekends ago, and it was a great way to kick off the holidays! We played games until midnight and had fun at some of our favorite local restaurants. I love Katy more than she’ll ever know. 💛
Last month, I made a new friend while taking Linley to the dog park on one of my days off. Ariel and I went on our first “friend date” of many, and even Alex loved how close we became! It was definitely fate. ✨
Alex’s and my first Christmas together was nothing short of amazing. And it’ll be the first of many. 🥰 Linley and I had so much fun with his family relaxing in the morning, eating great food throughout the day and enjoying some espresso martinis along the way. Alex and his family welcomed us and have made us feel a sense of belonging since the moment we moved down to Georgia in September. We couldn’t feel more lucky. 🥹
And just because I’m feeling this grateful and loved, here are some other fun December photos we took this month:
Although Halloween fell on a Tuesday this year, we made the most of last weekend and Halloween evening. It was a wonderful first Halloween in Atlanta and as a trio!
On Friday, we strolled the Beltline after work with some drinks in hand while wearing some epic family costumes. It was Alex’s idea for us to dress up as Krispy Kreme employees, and Lin be our doughnut! I loved the idea immediately and we ran with it. Linley wasn’t the happiest boy, but he made the most of his costume and everyone walking by enjoyed it! It makes my heart beyond happy and excited that Alex has fully leaned in and is embracing his dog dad-ness! 💛
On Saturday, we enjoyed another morning stroll before seeing Andy and Shawn. Our friends from South Africa have been in the states for two years or so, but haven’t experienced a true, American Halloween celebration — so we had to show them the ropes ☺️ Alex and I joined them in watching the rugby world championship on Saturday afternoon, where we were joined by other South African supporters and even some New Zealand fans. It was an intense game and South Africa only won by one point! The atmosphere while watching the game was something Alex and I loved and we’d be happy to watch rugby with Andy and Shawn again anytime!
After celebrating and enjoying great food and drinks, we headed back to both mine and Alex’s places to start the Halloween shenanigans! I dressed as a witch and Alex wore a shirt that said, “Pretend I’m a broom!” while Andy and Shawn got into their Star Wars outfits — and had the coolest lightsabers!
Our celebrations were simple this year: dinner outside at Bantam and walking the Beltline to Ladybird for drinks and people watching. It was such a chill, fun night and I already can’t wait for next year! 🤗
Our day-of consisted of a long walk to Piedmont Park (drinks in hand and costumes on like Friday!) and watching Lin tear it up at the dog park. We even saw trick-or-treaters on our way back home, which was a nice surprise and made the Halloween festivities complete. 😌
Halloween is my favorite holiday, and not being able to spend it with my mom up in Michigan felt weird this year. The last couple halloweens (the actual day-of) haven’t been the greatest, but it was fun to feel in my element again and go out with best friends, my man and our stubborn dog! 😂
Media taken Friday, October 27, Saturday, October 28, & Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Atlanta is the most dog friendly place Linley and I could’ve landed in! We’ve been loving all the dog park and pool time adventures—and Alex has fully embraced being a dog dad. 💛
We all look forward to more family adventures together… and stay tuned for more October posts that I’m behind on! 😉🙈
September has been one of the most positive and transformative months I’ve had all year. I couldn’t be happier in my relationship with Alex, in my new Atlanta home, and with where the rest of 2023 is heading. Before I get too lost in the future, I wanted to reflect on the past month and how much has changed – and how much I’ve grown – in this short period of time.
Two of Alex’s closest friends got engaged earlier in September, and I was able to be part of their special day. I feel blessed to have a partner and best friend who makes me feel so included, and to have a dad who helped me move all the way from Michigan!
I haven’t laughed or celebrated this hard and this much in a long time! September brought many cherished memories with Alex, Emily (who visited me my second weekend of being a new Atlanta resident!) and people I’ve met along the way.
Alex and I also celebrated his best friend from high school as she married the love of her life last weekend. We look forward to many more weddings and milestone celebrations together!
We befriended a lovely couple at Amy’s and Danny’s welcome dinner!
I wrote about my weekend in Grand Rapids and still can’t comprehend how perfect it was! I’ve been reflecting on my year in Michigan, what it’s like to be moving now vs. what it was like to move this time last year during the height of my divorce… It’s been an extremely cathartic and spiritual process. And with that, I can’t help but be grateful for the month I’ve had thus far.
The beginning of something beautiful with Alex 💛Leaving “my Alex” and running into one of my best friends Alex at the Atlanta airport!Reuniting for drinks with my high school golf coach!Golfing at sunrise with my dad 💛A fun weekend with an old friend, and a few new ones ☺️My dad wanting to take Linley to Home Depot!Hitting up Two James in Detroit with one of my best friends 🍸Linley stalking a baby raccoon in the neighbor’s shedMaking new friends with an old one 💛A fun night in Ann Arbor with Emily and Zac!Morning walks with LinleyBrewery Nyx last weekend 🍻Ladies night!A much-needed beach day with one of my oldest and closest friends 💛Homemade pizza with one of my oldest and closest friends (and her lovely husband!)Even Linley made a new friend this month!
Photos taken Thursday, August 3 through Monday, August 21, 2023.
Traveling with the Traceys 