10 Beautiful Moments | 2024
A moment ago I finished reading through my “line a day” journal for 2024, and can strongly confirm I’ve been lucky many, many, many days this year. I wrote of tasty meals, satisfying workouts, meaningful chats with friends, fantastic books, and deep gratitude for the people in my life. I wrote about “staying steady,” and “turning the day around.” I was jotting down, often in a haste, about beautiful moments, big and small.
Keep reading for 10 beautiful moments I experienced this year (in chronological order).
May 14th — A Surprise Bachelorette Evening
I didn’t want a Bachelorette Party, for a variety of reasons. In comes Ariella, a best friend of 11 years. They sent me a text sometime in April to see if they could take me out to dinner on May 14th (an easy yes). They picked me up in their car (very exciting if you live in NYC) and treated me to a surprise Bachelorette evening. The theme was “Childhood,” a lovely contrast for the very “adult” decision of getting married. When I jumped in the passenger seat, Britney Spears was playing over the speakers and Capri Suns were waiting in the cup holders. We painted vases at a pottery studio, they shared their love of summer rolls at dinner, and we wrapped up the night with ice-cream at Van Leeuwen. The most thoughtful touch of all was a homemade Angel Food Cake, my favorite dessert growing up. I tore pieces off with my hands and savored every delicious bite as they drove me uptown. I felt completely adored, seen, and celebrated by one of my oldest friends, someone who has known me through many stages of life and still chooses to walk beside me.
May 16th — Running with my dog in Central Park
I began running this year and if you’d like to start running, might I recommend running alongside a dog, in an open field or park, ideally leash-free? You’ll be hooked. I ran a few times with my dog Honey this year and nothing can compare (nothing!), to the joy and glee and utter happiness of running with a dog on a sunny day (in Central Park, if you’re me). I don’t have any photos of this moment but here are a few of Honey, at her happiest. Always in nature.
May 28th — Horseback Riding in Montauk
Austin and I went to Montauk a few weeks before our wedding for a “mini moon” since he had to go back to work immediately following our wedding in mid June. Riding a horse was on my 2024 vision board and he secretly signed us up for a horseback riding tour at Deep Hollow Ranch which, fun fact, is the oldest ranch in the United States! We trotted along muddy trails and even GALLOPED from time to time, which was equally terrifying as it was fun. I had that special, “this is what life is all about,” thought.
June 15th — Getting Married
There are five moments from our wedding weekend that I will never forget, each one unparalleled in beauty.
The first beautiful moment is when I walked down the aisle with my mom and dad and was met with cheers from our family and friends. It felt like love was beaming straight at me and it took my breath away.
The second beautiful moment was my first dance with my dad—he twirled me around and gave me the biggest hug at the end that I will never, ever, forget.
The third beautiful moment was perhaps the most symbolic of our relationship on our best days. We had planned to have a private moment on the dance floor after our guests left but we ran out of time. I was so saddened, and went upstairs to grab our things. But here’s what happened next—we played the song from my phone and slowly danced on the Boathouse balcony underneath the moonlight. I love this moment because we understand much of life together will not go as planned, similar to how this original idea unraveled the way it did. But we improvised and moved from Plan A to Plan B. Our private dance ended up being more meaningful than we could have ever imagined.
The fourth beautiful moment was a family dinner the day after the wedding. It was just me with my immediate family, plus my best friend Anjali. I’d been looking forward to her meeting many members of my family for a very long time. To have her at my side while we chatted about our favorite moments of the weekend, munching on delicious pizza, laughing and reminiscing, was a dream come true.
The fifth beautiful moment was when I arrived at home in Harlem, disbelieving that the weekend was finally coming to a close. I opened my wedding gift from my mom. She had thrown a gorgeous ceramic vase and gifted us a monthly flower subscription for our first year of marriage. On the 15th of every month, we would receive a bouquet of flowers, to celebrate another month of love and commitment. Can. You. Even? This gift is a perfect example of my mother’s thoughtfulness, artistry, and generosity.
the moment I opened my mom's gift (couldn't keep it together, naturally) and the first bouquet to grace her stunning vase.
July 23rd — Visiting my Sister
I spent a couple days visiting my sister in Williamstown. We played tennis, went on a run, pulled up carpet, bought her a new phone (this is what younger sister’s are for), went to Trivia Night where I met a lot of her friends, ate pasta and ice-cream…and took our perfect dogs for long walks.
August 19th — Broadway Audition
Austin and his wonderful manager (and our dear friend) Geoff helped me score an appointment to audition for the Broadway show & Juliet. For a week and a half I packed my schedule with voice, dance, and acting lessons. I felt driven and grateful for the opportunity. Friends and family were supportive, sending me encouraging texts and voice notes. I had a blast at the audition and even received positive feedback! Austin took me out to a fancy dinner that night to celebrate. I remember feeling so proud of myself for showing up and truly giving it my all.
August 23rd — Road to Hana
Austin and I traveled to Maui for our friend’s wedding and drove/hiked the unbelievable Road to Hana in the rain! This moment is specifically seared in my memory. An embodied moment, at one with the elements, simply spectacular!
September 15th — Running a 10K and Applesauce
I ran a 10K with my dad in Vermont and made homemade applesauce with my mom during a wonderful weekend in Burlington! I loved spending quality time with my parents during a time that wasn’t a holiday. In short: running with my dad was so much fun—I remember feeling proud of my body for learning a new skill. And heaven on earth is peeling apples with my mom on a back patio and talking about whatever comes to mind. The applesauce turned out soooooo delicious.
October 13th — Friends Upstate
Austin and I traveled upstate with our dear friends Madison and Andrew and spent a few days in nature, putting together a puzzle, losing ourselves in conversation. On this particular day, we took a walk in the rain and said hello to these horses, who traveled a long way to say hello. They trotted right up to the gate and we were in awe! This weekend taught me a lot about friendship.
December 12th — A Vulnerability Themed Birthday Dinner
I turned 31 on December 27th, but had an early dinner with friends before we all parted ways for the holidays. My “need” for the upcoming year is to feel encouraged to take more risks (also known as leaning into vulnerability—blah), so I gathered a few of my nearest and dearest friends for a special dinner party, wherein I asked everyone to make a toast and share a story about a time they took a risk. It was a magical evening of storytelling and it absolutely served its purpose. I’m feeling, more than ever, that I can take some serious and beautiful risks in the upcoming year.
I am lucky beyond measure. There were many more moments like the ones I described above. Moments of authenticity and connection, moments of beauty. I wonder about what moments you had this year that made you feel seen, or proud. Or a moment of peace and contentment. I would love to hear about one of those moments if you feel open to sharing.
Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for being here. :)
xo
alexa
Love love love (you you you) ❤️
you are so glass-half-full-to-spilling-over love!!! What a gorgeous tribute to 2024!! xoxoxoxo!!!