Hey Beautiful You!

Sami here, ready to welcome you home to Chapter 09: Coming Home. After the thrill of chasing the sun, this chapter is all about reconnecting with what grounds us—and the people who make home feel like home.

For me, family has always been about more than shared DNA. I grew up with a dynamic and unconventional family, and it taught me that family is what you make it. It’s the friends who stick by you, the neighbors who feel like siblings, and the people who show up when it matters most. Personally I know I wouldn’t be here today without those who have gone above and beyond to help me grow through life. From my grandparents who raised me, and my friends who have supported me and build me up so I can survive whatever life throws at me (and no life, that is not a challenge thank you).

Alex’s story in this chapter is inspired by this very idea. She returns to her roots, reconnecting with her mother Marlene, and her two best friends and Alex’s two dads, and the extended circle of friends who’ve become family. This chapter is about embracing those relationships and celebrating the unique bonds we share with the people who love us just as we are.

Whether it’s sharing a home-cooked meal, playing an old family game, or swapping stories late into the night, Coming Home reminds us to savor those connections. It’s also a chance to reflect on what family means to you and how those bonds shape your life.

I’ve put together 31 journal prompts to guide your reflections this month. These prompts explore themes of family, gratitude, and the beauty of finding your place in the world—whether it’s with those you were born into or those you chose along the way.

So grab your journal, a cozy spot, and let’s reflect on what it means to come home.