Casey Hackett

Just guys being dudes. . . . . .#Disneyland #sleepingbeautycastle

2024 was pretty good, all things considered. A few selections from throughout the year. Also, easily my oddest year of live music maybe ever (ABBA holograms, Blur, Kraftwerk, Ben Gibbard).

Saw Electric Light Orchestra play their last concert last night. It ruled.

How it started, and how it’s going… Harrison Xinh Hackett…our little Harry. I cannot believe it’s been a year since you showed up 2.5 weeks earlier than expected. Time really changes when kids are involved and it feels impossible that it’s already been a whole year, but I can say without a doubt that this was the most fun year your mom and I have had, because you were in it. I won’t get overly sappy, but I love being your dad. I love being your parent with @humblehills . I love making you laugh. I love reading you books. I love everything about you (except maybe the way my body aches even more than it did before you were born. Kids are heavy!). I’m proud to be your father and I can’t wait to see how you grow in year 2 and beyond. You make me smile every day. And I only hope I can keep making you smile every day too. And if I can’t, we’ll just watch Bluey and both feel better. God bless that dog. Lastly, I would not be half of the father I am if I didn’t have your mom right next to me along the way. She’s the most kind, thoughtful, strong, loving, generous person I know. Take after her and you’re going to go very far in life. I promise. Love you, D.

What a year! @humblehills and I are great procrastinators so we didn’t get a chance to do a proper holiday card for our first Christmas as a family of 5 (2 cats and newcomer, Harrison), so here’s my attempt to at least do a virtual one. 2023 was a busy one: Finding out we were pregnant, 3 weddings in 3 months, a new job for Dalena, a honeymoon to Japan, a trip to Maine, 2 baby showers, house renovations that we somewhat foolishly decided to do with 8 weeks to go to Dalena’s expected due date, the arrival of Harrison 2.5 weeks early while we were still couch surfing during renovations, parental leave, hosting our first Thanksgiving, and dealing with a baby that’s growing by up way too fast. Overall, this year was amazing and we are so fortunate and lucky to have incredible friends and family who helped support us through the year both near and far (I considered tagging people but there are just too many to name!). If you’re seeing this, I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season! Casey, Dalena, Harrison, and Meatloaf & Mochi

Another year with my best friend, fellow cat parent, and mother of our future son, @humblehills . From getting married (again!) in Maine with our friends and family, to a trip to Japan, to becoming parents to be, I couldn’t ask for a better person to be paired with. You make me a better person, and you are such a ray of joy and love in not just my life but everyone’s you touch (just look at all the presents you had delivered today from friends and family). Happy birthday, my 🦁.

About 10 weeks ago I found 2 kittens on the street while out for a walk. They were tiny, wet, and covered in fleas, but very sweet. @humblehills and I decided to bring them in and see if we could get them with a foster to get them a home. Due to various circumstances, we became those fosters. Thus began our journey with Pepper (black one) and Pizza (the tabby). Pepper was adopted a few weeks after we found him (thanks @harpahluwalia and family!) but Pizza took a lot longer. Over the weeks I definitely got attached to her and the thought of adoption entered our heads a few times, but we decided we wanted to make sure Pizza got a forever home as 3 cats was more than we wanted. That day was today when we dropped off Pizza with her new mom @sandinmypants_ thanks to our “Cat Realtor,” @encyclophoebia . Needless to say it was an emotional day and process as a whole, but getting to see Pizza explore her new home and play with her new forever owner was extremely gratifying. I know this little creature has no concept of human emotions, but I hope she knows how much we loved her and her little crooked face, and how excited we are to see her in her forever home. Mochi may not miss her as much though, but she’s always been a bit of a jerk. Special thanks to @maedayrescue for helping us through our first foster experience! Check them out if you need a pet!!

A year ago I did the best thing I’ve ever done and married @humblehills . One year later I’m physically not with her since I’m at a work event in Miami, but the first year of marriage has been so much fun, even if we are doing it backwards (much like the series of pictures you’re looking at!). These first 3 photos are from our “engagement” shoot we did 5 days ago (📸: @nataliapricephoto ). The last photo is from a year to the day when we were married. Everything in between has been been silly, inspiring, loving, and full of cats. Can’t wait to spend the second year with you and every year after, and I promise to slow down on buying comics (but only a little since you support my “nerd shit” so lovingly).

Time for baseball.

Standard night with Mochi.

I guess it’s #nationaldogday, so here’s my dog niece, Luna. She’s definitely a weirdo but also extremely sweet. A good pup. @lalalajoanne @eeeelvn