Alex made my 30th so special, and it was my turn to return the favor! We went to Ellijay, Georgia for the second time as the Tracey trio, and it was so much fun!
We began our day with a morning hike, where Linley almost stepped on a two-foot-long water snake! I’m not normally afraid of snakes, but seeing and hearing Alex freak out in front of me startled me at my core. Luckily, the snake had just had something to eat and had no interest in biting Linley or any of us. But man, I was sweaty after that jump scare!
After our hike, we drove to downtown Ellijay for some rooftop fun. We enjoyed a cocktail and lunch before heading to our AirBnB, and Linley of course got all the attention!
Our AirBnB drop off was quick because we wanted to hit Roo, an amazing winery we visited with my mom in July, before it got super busy. Surprisingly, it wasn’t busy at all, but it probably helped that we were there on a Friday afternoon instead of a Saturday!
Our evening was equally as fun, as we found a spot with live music in downtown Ellijay. It was weird not to be there with my mom this time around, but it was great to be there with my with now-husband and Linley again. The restaurant was so kind to us that they even brought out a table for us outside, and really reminded us of our favorite local spot at home. We’ll definitely be back!
Until next time, Ellijay! ✌️
After Ellijay, we also went to an Atlanta United game and the bar with friends beforehand, and had a birthday brunch for Alex that Sunday.
I can only hope that I made Alex’s birthday half as special as he made mine.
Media taken Friday, May 16 & Saturday, May 17, 2025 in Ellijay, Georgia, & Sunday, May 19 in Atlanta✨
March was our best month yet! Our best friends got married in one of our favorite places, we were married at one of our favorite places, and we had the honeymoon roadtrip of a lifetime as a trio. Although more photos of all that will come, I wanted to share the disposable camera photos our friends and family took during our reception. I immediately knew having these out would be a hit, and what a great idea it was! I look forward to seeing more photos soon, but here’s what we have so far…
Maddie and Quinten, our officiant (on my right)The one and only Sahil!Ariel and Alex!Our venue and second homeCousins Catherine and ReaganOur signature drinksMom and Linley, our bestest ring bearerOur lovely bartenders, Justin and Kyle!Jesse!!!My lovely best friend, Carolina✨Wait, there were three Matt’s?!Our lovely photographer, Trizzie!Uncle Ray… hahaReagan, Alex Matlock and cousin JasonDancing as newlywedsOh boy… hahaOne happy brideOne hammered groom… haha
Photos taken Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Bantam Pub in Atlanta, GA. ✨
It’s currently 4:05am CT in Oklahoma City right now. We’re in a garage-style AirBnB as a trio, and Lin is pushed against me in our ginormous king bed. I turned to face him so my belly would get his warmth, as opposed to him bending into my back and causing me pain later in the morning…
I wouldn’t have it any other way. 💛
Alex and I got married last weekend! We had an absolute blast and it couldn’t have been a more perfect weekend all around. Our rehearsal and dinner went great the night before, and it was so nice to hang out with our parents, friends, and Alex’s family members.
Even the morning of the big day felt “normal” in a sense. We had brunch with my parents at our favorite spot (where we had our reception actually!) and lazily hung out until 2/2:30 or so. Alex, Linley and I did, however, sneak away around 1/1:30 to read each other our vows. We wanted to do this in private, and I’m really grateful we did. It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. How lucky am I to have found my best friend!
Getting ready was quick and painless, and I of course had to have one of my favorite fellas help me out!
Our apartment, park where we had the ceremony and Bantam Pub for the reception are all walking distance from each other—which is extremely lucky! We love our neighborhood and our friends in it so much. My dad walked me down to the pond where we met Bill, Alex’s dad, who also helped walk me down to Alex. I’m glad I involved both our dads and it was nice to have a moment with both of them before everything got started. It was another special moment I’ll never forget.
Our ceremony was quick and our best friend Quinten married us. Despite the wind and Cecilia, my mother-in-law, having to hold down my veil, it couldn’t have gone any better. I even made Alex cry! Haha and that was the goal… What made everything extra special was that I was able to see my high school best friend and her sister at the very end. Although they missed most of the ceremony, the fact they even made it at all was a huge surprise and blessing. After popping my first ever bottle of champagne – both with Alex and his brother, Jonathan, we chatted, took some group photos, then had fun with our couple’s session with Trizzie and Tripp. Alex and I are grateful that we have not only such loving friends, but talented friends who can marry us and photograph our big day!
Bantam Pub… where to even begin! When Alex and I first met in person, we visited Bantam for brunch that weekend (August of 2023). It was Bantam where we decided to move in together, and it was there and the servers-turned-friends who rallied for Linley during his major surgery last year. It truly is our second home and the community we feel – and created – there is insurmountable. There was absolutely no way we could have our reception anywhere else! We each had a featured cocktail (Linley’s was the “salty dog” of course!) and we danced, ate and drank the night away. Seeing all our favorite people in our favorite place… unreal in the best way.✨
I could go on about how much I love Alex, how great Linley did as the ring bearer, and how lovely everything else was… but I don’t feel like ugly crying at 4:33am CT in some random AirBnB that we’re staying at as we head out west haha. All you need to know is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love that I’m forever grateful for, and our little guy killed it out there last weekend. 🥹 The morning of, the after party where everyone kept buying us drinks, and everything in between… it was an incredible day, with incredible friends and one incredible husband!
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.
Traveling with the Traceys 