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. 🥹
As we enter a new year, I can’t help but reflect on all the ups and downs of 2025. From starting a new job and quickly dreading it due to verbal abuse, planning a casual wedding, getting married and going on the honeymoon roadtrip of a lifetime, and everything in between… I’m extremely grateful for all the greatness this year has brought me.
2026 will be all about letting go, healing and being more open and willing to receive the universe’s gifts, as opposed to wanting to control everything (my schedule, others’ emotions, etc.) Spontaneity is the name of the game for 2026 (aka: the year of the fire horse!)
But until we get into 2026, here’s some of my favorite moments from December. I may not stick with monthly gratitude journaling going into this year, but I’m extremely thankful for the community I have built – and am slowly rebuilding – here in Atlanta.
Moments between Alex and LinleySpontaneous dinner with my friend, JessA blossoming friendship with Colin, Devin and Grayson
Seeing my two favorite pupsAdmiring the sunset with Alex
…and more moments like these!Our third annual Botanical Garden LightsGetting professional photos done with LinleyAnother Linley and llama tree!Linley and Ellie making the nice list this yearA gluten free baking class with AlexRunning into our neighbors at Ponce City MarketLinley going on more hikes with the pack!Taking Linley to the Delta office againOur second Cirque du Soleil show…getting tipsy and buying a toy for Linley at the Cirque show……and Cheeto having a front-row seat at the show!Linley’s clean bill of healthEnjoying our Chippy the Dog daily calendarGlass blowing with Janessa…and even more moments between Alex and Lin!
Strolling through a new part of the cityDinner with Amy and Danny
Sunny afternoon walksMaking a bûche du Noël cake with AlexOur third Christmas together…and Trizzie joining us this year!Comedy night with AlexLinley’s new friend and doppelgänger
Running around at the parkThe last comedy night at LimericksGrace’s and my first time at the Clermont Lounge!
Wishing Saskia a happy new year in GermanyOur last drink of 2025Happy new year!!!
Yesterday was probably the best Christmas I’ve ever had. I used to love my family get-togethers before my estrangement took place, but holidays haven’t been spent with my biological family since 2018 or 2019. As much as I miss spending time with my parents, Alex and I will be seeing them next month, and that dedicated quality time will mean so much to me.
I was tossing and turning on Christmas Eve night into Christmas Day, and Alex let his parents know that I was feeling anxious and emotional about my past. My first Christmas with his family in 2023 was nice but it doesn’t even compare to the love, support and ease I felt yesterday. I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
We visited Lau Lau (Alex’s grandma) for lunch with all the aunts and uncles and their families, then had quality time with Alex’s parents and brother on the Tracey side, followed by a lovely dinner at Aunt Susan’s and Uncle Ray’s house. Spending quality time with the cousins and our friend Trizzie was super fun, and it felt very much like the cousin time I’d had as a kid long ago. It was nice to feel young again, and I haven’t felt that way on Christmas in probably almost twenty years.
I couldn’t be more grateful for Alex, the love he has for Linley and me, his parents, and entire family for welcoming Lin and me with open arms. As my therapist always says: I deserve to feel safe and loved in every space, and I felt that way in spades yesterday. My father-in-law even turned to me, we clinked champagne glasses, and he told me how happy he was that I was there. And my mother-in-law told me that she looks forward to many more years of love and celebration to come.
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.
Wedding day!The Grand CanyonATL Pride! (October 2025)
Last Monday, Alex and I went to the Botanical Gardens at Piedmont Park for our third-annual viewing of the holiday lights—and trains! We love going every year and it makes for a great date night of seasonal cocktails, gorgeous lights and admiring how creative the staff is.
As soon as you walk in, you see these beautiful, silver birds that fly amongst the stars. Alex and I always venture to the main restaurant area for some holiday drinks before making our way through the greenhouse, larger garden where you can see the Atlanta skyline, and other tunnels of lights. This year we each got two: both were mezcal drinks, one being hot chocolate! We had to take an obligatory photo under one of my favorite tunnels.
Luckily, I’d just gotten a new phone and it was fun to snap some artsy shots of the trees, and of course my favorite lady of the park…
One of my favorite parts of this annual experience is watching Alex watch the trains (yes, you heard that correctly!) I don’t know how else to explain it, other than it’s cute to see little kids point at and admire the moving trains, and then you see 30-year-old Alex doing the same thing. It’s the best!
Last but certainly not least, we enjoyed the dangling lights that sync up to the annual playlist. This year’s playlist was more classical, but I of course captured Louis Armstrong’s debut.
It’s hard to describe unless you’re there, but this entire immersive experience is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holidays here in Atlanta. All last week I kept telling Alex, “I had the best time and I’ve been thinking about it all day!”
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!
Media taken Thursday, December 11 – Saturday December 13, 2025🎄
November seemed a lot calmer than October, but things are changing just as the leaves did.
November was a good month and I’m excited to practice more mindfulness in scheduling, peacefulness and achieving my goals.
Lunch back at one of our favorite places in Hilton HeadDinner with our best friendsA much-needed girl dinner
Piedmont dog park
Viagra Boys!!!
The best way to wake up
A new routine in La Mezcla classA beautiful sunset with Alex and LinleyExploring Folly Island and Charleston for the first timeLinley had the best time on National Hiking Day!More dog park fun
Being so close to nature
A pup cup from Uncle JesseA fun weekend with Linley and the Alex’sAdopt don’t shop!!! And donate this holiday season!Raindrops
Lin got another pup cup!My two favorite guysLinley’s version of being a sous chef!Thankful for Miss Ellie
Hiking Stone Mountain againAfternoons as a family
Lin being cute and sweet as ever
Yet another dog park day!My goofy husbandAnother metal show with Justin
Last year during Thanksgiving weekend, your favorite Tracey Trio hiked Stone Mountain. We decided to do this again, and plan on going on this family hike each year.
Hearing Lin crunch through the leaves, talking with Alex and feeling the sun and wind on my cheeks always makes for a great afternoon together. Being in nature with my two favorite fellas is the best way to spend an afternoon!
After rounding our favorite trails along the water, we decided to check out the quarry and learn more about the granite that was mined here.
Linley and I had never been to Charleston until this weekend, and Alex hadn’t visited since he was a kid. We enjoyed Charleston and the surrounding area, and found the cutest AirBnB that made us feel right at home! We arrived on Friday feeling excited to check out the amenities and the neighborhood.
After checking out all the AirBnB and neighborhood had to offer, Linley snuggled up and Alex and I headed out for our food tour. We’d won these tickets at a silent auction at the Georgia Aquarium, and figured we’d take advantage since we were heading to Charleston anyway. The food tour was great, our host and people on the tour were lovely, and the food was absolutely delicious!
After the food tour, we came back, scooped up Lin, and grabbed dinner at an outdoor spot on the water. Although our food and drinks were nowhere near what it was like on the tour, it made us appreciate the food we’d had even more, haha. It was cute to see Lin get all the attention per usual, and he even got a free bandana!
We were hitting a wall because of what felt like our food comas, so we had a night in, enjoyed the hot tub and some wine we’d brought from home, and talked under the stars. Alex and I are usually talking during TV or long drives, so it was peaceful and much-needed to have a conversation with no other distractions (aside from the cute raccoons we saw in the trees!) Linley was outside with us, but had no interest in being near the hot tub (I’m pretty sure he thought it was a stew or witch’s cauldron or something, haha!) We all slept great that night!
Saturday morning, we headed to Folly Island to hit up the dog beach. The sand and sea were beautiful, and it was so much fun to check out a new place together.
Seeing these two walk, run and play on the beach together always makes my day! ^ 🥹
We continued strolling on that side of the beach for a while, because the water was calm, the beach was private and the shells were too good to pass up! Once we could tell Lin was getting tired of chasing after things, we decided to grab coffee and a snack in town, then head to the other side of the beach. On the other side, there was a pier that dogs weren’t allowed on, but at least we could explore underneath it…
The beach was so beautiful that it was hard to leave, but we knew it was time. We were craving brunch outside and found a place that one of my coworkers recommended to me, and it was delicious! Ellis Creek Fish Camp on James Island had the friendliest staff, the best grouper and shrimp and grits, solid Bloody Mary’s and an amazing R&B playlist that made us feel like we were back in Atlanta! 10/10 would recommend. It may not be our Hudson’s spot on Hilton Head Island, but it was a close second…
After brunch, we headed to a local dog park and bar in Charleston. Broken Leash was a ton of fun for all of us, and we always love taking Linley to these sorts of places during our family vacations (we did in Birmingham, Asheville and other places). We chatted with the locals, Linley had a blast playing with the big dogs, and enjoyed the sunshine a little longer.
We swung by one more brewery for a snack and a couple cocktails before heading back to the AirBnB to relax in the afternoon. Linley needed the nap, and Alex and I enjoyed some trash TV local to Charleston. The boys went on a long walk before dinner and then Alex and I headed to a great seafood restaurant just us two. We sat at the oyster counter and enjoyed some incredible soup, shrimp, oysters and fish. I think we were still full from the night before; that’s how good we ate in Charleston!
We were exhausted after dinner and I’d passed out like I normally do during the week at home (I love a 9 or 10pm bedtime haha!) Linley was clearly still tired, too. Until next time, Charleston!
Media taken Friday, November 14 & Saturday, November 15, 2025 in South Carolina.
I hadn’t been to Tybee Island until the first weekend of November, and I already can’t wait to return! Alex, Linley, Courtney, Chris and I rode with Captain Seth on a charter boat through the marsh and sea of Tybee Island. It was nothing what we expected, but it was absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t be happier with the experience.
As mentioned, we first rode through the marsh in our tiny boat. Seth went fast and it was such a rush! The water was only three feet deep, and was a delta where all the rivers fed into the ocean sea. Our boat actually got stuck at one point, but Alex and I knew Seth would get us out of the mess. Afterward, he went faster again and I was smiling from ear to ear! Seth took us to a sand bar that basically felt like a private beach, and we enjoyed some stretching and running around as we watched the sun begin to set and the birds begin to flock.
Although Courtney and Chris were with us this time, and although Alex was there and we’ve been to the beach as a family before, I couldn’t help but think of all the sunrises that Linley and I experienced during our year in Chicago. I took him every single morning, and it honestly saved my life. I didn’t have many friends there, I’d lost my job and was going through a divorce at the same time. Our sunrises together taught me that I could start anew, and Linley had been my loyal sidekick through all of it. It’s always hard to look back on the past without dwelling on it, and it makes me appreciate the moments we have together now more than ever.
After our fun on the sandbar/private beach, just when I thought our experience couldn’t get any better, it did. We were going fast in the ocean when Seth decided to stop suddenly. As we came to a stop, we saw a family of dolphins approach our boat! I’ve never seen dolphins before and I couldn’t believe my eyes; I started tearing up, Alex started filming and Linley was whining away haha. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience and it took my breath away.
Being with my two favorite fellas, two of my close friends and someone who led us to that moment was truly an unforgettable experience. We watched the moon and rode fast again once the dolphins let us be.
The last part of our ride back to the dock was equally as breathtaking as I saw the most beautiful sunset, which reminded me of a safari. I’ve seen sunsets in a few different countries and continents, but there was something really special about this one.
I didn’t get a horizontal picture of the sunset or photos of the constellations in the sky at night, but I’ll never forget any of it.
Until next time. 🫶
Media taken Saturday, November 1 on Tybee Island, Georgia. 🌅
Once again, we were in Hilton Head Island on November first. It’s hard to believe almost two weeks have flown by since our third annual visit there as the Tracey Trio…
This place is incredibly special because this was Alex’s first beach experience with Linley in 2023, and where I proposed in 2024. This is exactly what I live for, and what life should be more about. It was special to share with our friends this time around, to see Lin run after his new favorite toy, and to eat at one of our favorite restaurants again.
Until next time, Hilton Head Island! 🥹🤗
Media taken Saturday, November 1st, 2025 on Hilton Head Island 🌊
The title gives it away, but we love Savannah in October! Alex, Linley and I make our way down every October and have since 2023, and this year was a little different because our friends Courtney and Chris spent some time with us, too. But one costume and photo at Forsyth Park will always remain the same…
202320242025
We decided to stay at the same AirBnB as 2023, and it was great to be in a familiar place in one of our favorite cities. Alex, Linley and I got in on Thursday (instead of Friday as usual), for an afternoon and evening just the three of us. We strolled by our favorite coffee shop and walked around the neighborhood like we do every year. Since we were there Halloween weekend this time, it was super cool to see all the decorations and you could really feel the spookiness and haunting nature of the city.
We checked out a new part of town for dinner and drinks; Starland District had some of the funkiest bars and overall had such a unique energy. We went to a spot upstairs for some sours, but went to their downstairs Smol bar for more good drinks, an awesome atmosphere and good conversation with locals.
For dinner, we stopped at Ardsley Station for more good drinks and amazing food. We sat outside by a huge fire with Linley, and it was so great to see everyone loving on him (as usual!) As much as we love our friends, Alex and I both said how grateful we are to have each other as best friends and favorite travel partners. Of course, Linley is always the glue and being with my two favorite fellas is the best feeling in the entire world.
Halloween morning was a little lazy and we slowly got around to meet up with Courtney and Chris. I took Lin on a walk around the neighborhood again, he made some friends, and we headed to our favorite brunch spot. It was fun to start seeing the city come to life and how some people were already in costume!
We had a great afternoon with Courtney and Chris, which started with brunch at Collins Quarter, strolling through Forsyth Park and other town squares and rows of homes with Spanish moss everywhere… In other words: I was in heaven! After all of that, we kept on walking to the river and enjoyed an afternoon of catching up, people (and dog!) watching, and cocktails before our evening pub crawl.
Once we got Linley tuckered out, we dropped him at the AirBnB and we met up with our friends again for a lovely dinner and cheesy bar crawl: the perfect way to spend Halloween in a haunted city! We went to another one of last year’s spots for dinner, then had the best time at our event. We were the “Spice Girls” and our costumes didn’t arrive in time, so Alex and I had makeshift ones. Throughout the night, we learned about some wild stories, tried a couple new bars and received compliments on our costumes. We all had a blast!
Another reason why we love being in Savannah is how close we are to the water. I’ll write about how we spent our Saturday in the next post 😉
Media taken Thursday, October 30 & Friday, October 31 (Halloween), 2025✨
Traveling with the Traceys 