Meet Tracy Pratt! Tracy and her husband, Jeff have lived in Jefferson for over three decades. She is an educator and owner of a wedding business. Tracy, Jeff, and their three children are active members of our community in a variety of different avenues.
We want to thank Tracy for telling us a little more about herself and her love of our community.
Tell us a little about yourself.
“I have been a resident of Jackson County for 34 years. My husband and I have loved raising our three children in this community. I have had the pleasure of staying home to raise my children, volunteering in our community, working as a teacher, and owning my own business, all of which have happened right here in Jefferson.
“I am not a native of Georgia as I was raised in Michigan. At the tender age of 18, I made the decision to attend Auburn University, met my future husband Jeff, and began our married life in Jefferson where he took his first job out of college. After our three children were born, we struggled with the prospect of moving closer to Atlanta, but wisely made the decision to stay put and raise them in this small community. While we have no family in the area, we soon realized that the friendships and relationships we built through the church, school, and work helped us repeatedly to navigate daily life and all it brings.”
Question: Please tell us about your family.
Answer: “I am married to Jeff Pratt who works in the solar and renewable resources field. We have three children; Eric, Austin, and Jill. Eric is a worship pastor and is married to Jen who is an integral member of Bloom and Ivy Weddings. Austin is a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School and is a certified tennis referee and tennis coach in his spare time. Jill is a special needs teacher with the Jackson County School district and is co-owner of the family business Bloom and Ivy Weddings.”
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “While I’ve had a variety of careers, my most recent include teaching language arts and social studies at Jefferson Middle School and owning Bloom and Ivy Weddings which offers an array of wedding services throughout Georgia.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “We are big fans of El Huasteco in Jefferson and The Galloping Gallette in Braselton!”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “We have lived in Jefferson for 34 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “The most interesting person I have met in our community is Marion Mahaffey. I met her at church years ago and immediately knew she had a big heart for her friends, family, community, hobbies, and God. She embodies kindness, faithfulness, and determination. She makes everyone better!”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go to the small town in Italy where my grandparents were born and raised until they immigrated to America in the early 1900s. I want to sit on the mountaintop they called home and drink coffee.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “I love watching ‘Friends.’ I’ve seen every episode a million times!”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Aside from always choosing kindness, don’t let the fear of failure stand in your way.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I want to visit every major league baseball park in America.”
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: “Queen! I made the big mistake of passing up the opportunity to see them in person years ago.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “Crawford Long Pharmacy makes me nostalgic. It still has that old-town feeling and offers top-notch customer service.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I would invite Huge Jackman to meet me at The Galloping Galette. I’d buy his lunch and ask him to tell me about how he’s not afraid to try new things and explain how he’s managed to be known as one of the nicest guys in the entertainment industry.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: “I love that Jackson County is safe and provides great educational opportunities for our children. Our schools are excellent and I love that our leaders work hard to keep them that way.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: “I see myself running my wedding business and enjoying my family.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I keep the Fly Delta app open on my phone! I’m always checking the prices of flights for all the places I want to visit!”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “I’ve been to a lot of places, but the two most beautiful places for me were New Zealand and Alaska.”
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: “I love October for the cool weather, Easter for the promise of renewal, and January 1st because I get a re-do!”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “Without a doubt, hopping on an airplane and setting off on a great adventure.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “My family is always inspiring me to be a better person, and I also have some co-workers who keep me in line and push me to reach high every day.”
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: “Cinnamon! It reminds me of some of my favorite foods!”
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Love, relaxation, peace.”
