4 minute read
The Albertis: Beach-Bound for the Summer
Resident Feature - by Craig Whitney
Photos by Shannon Lynn Photography www.ShannonLynnPhotography.com
Greg and Tracy were in Avalon, New Jersey, with separate friend groups in the summer of 1995 when they first met. The groups hit it off one day and ended up at Princeton Bar and Grille later that week, a restaurant that is still there today. After a fun week full of new friends and the summer waves, the two went their separate ways for several months. Once they reunited in Philadelphia, it was full speed ahead.
Tracy and Greg Alberti on the beach in Ocean City, NJ
Greg grew up in Broomall, and has never left. It is something he is very proud of. “I’ve lived in three homes, none of them have been more than three miles from the home I grew up in,” Greg said. The Newtown Square area has been his home forever, and it was an easy decision to stay here to start a family.
Tracy is originally from West Deptford, New Jersey, which isn’t exceptionally far unless you ask one of the locals born and raised in Delaware County. “People tease me that I wasn’t born and raised in Delco,” Tracy laughed. “But I’ve been here longer than I was in Jersey.”
Tracy may not be originally Delco, but she married into it in June of 1998. The two were rising in their careers: Tracy in dental sales and Greg in insurance marketing. Tracy began as a Dental Hygienist and made her way into sales several years after graduation. Greg was working as a senior officer for a large credit union, eventually switching to insurance marketing.
In 2001, Alli (short for Alexandria) was born. John was born three years and five days later. Once John was born, Tracy made the decision to stay at home with the children full-time. As soon as Alli started at Culbertson Elementary School, Tracy began volunteering as often as possible. She was a part of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at school; was team mom for all of the sports leagues they participated in; and doubled her volunteer hours when John joined her at Culbertson.
“Tracy and I did everything we could,” Greg explained. “I was an Assistant Coach on nearly every team my son was on, and Tracy was the team mom. We would even hop into the snack bar some nights and start making all the kids food for after the game.”
Siblings John and Alli Alberti, enjoying the beach
For many years, Alli danced with From the Top Dance Studio, directed by Shelia Turner, known to readers as an Expert Contributor to this magazine. Alli enjoyed that performing arts activity from a very young age until the end of middle school. She then went to the Academy of Notre Dame, where she joined their dance program and also the Cross Country team. This year, Alli was a freshman at the University of South Carolina.
Since John was very young, he’s been passionate about baseball. The time of year doesn’t matter: John finds a way to play. “He wants to play as long as he can,” Tracy stated. “If possible, he’ll be playing when he’s 40.” John has been a part of Newtown Edgmont Little League since around age 4. He now participates in the Babe Ruth League. When that league is in its offseason, John pitches for the Philadelphia Whiz Kids, a travel team that plays all over the tri-state area.
The drive to improve and grow is something that runs in the family. They all try to be healthy, whether it means going to the gym regularly or preparing healthy meals for the week. With all of the hobbies and weekend activities lined up for everyone, it’s impressive that they find the time. “We don’t have a lot of downtime. Keeping busy is what keeps us young,” Tracy said.
John, Tracy, Greg and Alli Alberti on the beach in Ocean City, NJ
The one thing that manages to slow the Albertis down is the beach. The Jersey Shore, which has been a constant since the day Greg and Tracy met, has gradually become a bigger part of their lives. The Albertis own a house in Ocean City, and most years, they get to stay at the beach for the entire summer. Because of Greg’s flexible work schedule and everyone else’s year based around school, they get to all be down the shore together most days.
“There is something really relaxing about being down there,” Tracy raved. “You almost forget about your worries. You’re not thinking about all of the stuff you have at home. It’s a great chance to breathe, take in every moment and enjoy the day.”
“My favorite thing is to wake up at the beach and have coffee on the deck with my wife,” Greg said. “It’s different being on the deck at the beach, with the ocean breeze.”
For the next two months, with the warm morning air rolling in from the ocean and Greg and Tracy with a fresh cup of coffee in their hands, the beach will be home. But being a native of the Newtown Square area, Greg has a special love of home. And all four of the Albertis have been so involved in the community over the years that Newtown Square holds a very special place in all of their hearts. Even with the months of bliss ahead of them, in September they will be itching to get back to their true home.
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