Gretchen Rossi Opens Up on Feeling “Broken” After Difficult Year
The Real Housewives of Orange County alum reflected on the past year and shares what she's "excited" for in 2024.
Last year, Gretchen Rossi and her family experienced a tough loss after Slade Smiley's son, Grayson Arroyo-Smiley, passed away following a long battle with brain cancer.
However, as the new year begins, The Real Housewives of Orange County alum is turning her “pain” and struggles into purpose as she prepares for her life journey in 2024.
Taking to social media on January 1, Gretchen shared an Instagram Reel compiled with several photos and videos of fun moments with loved ones. Gretchen also penned a heartfelt caption that allowed her to reflect on the bad times as well as share with her fans what she learned about herself in the past year.
Gretchen Rossi’s reflects on her life going into 2024
“If 2023 has taught us anything this year it is that life is short and can be gone in a minute,” Gretchen captioned her New Year’s Day post. “After [losing] Grayson earlier this year, we felt broken…and wasn’t sure how to do life again.”
Gretchen continued by revealing that her family coped with their loss by relying on “our Heavenly Father.” She also explained the importance of cherishing “every moment” with family and friends.
When sharing her biggest lesson that she has learned from 2023, Gretchen noted that it was accepting limitations for oneself, writing, “This year I personally learned to set boundaries [and] not allow people to have access to me that no longer deserved it.”
The blonde beauty concluded her post by letting her followers know that she's "excited" for what the new year will bring and that she's entering 2024 with a "clear" mind.
Gretchen Rossi shares an update on Slade Smiley
One day before Gretchen’s self-reflection, she and her fiancé, Slade, spent quality time together on a scenic bike trail. In a joint Instagram post, the lovebirds uploaded a video of them connecting "with nature” as they peddled away on their separate bikes.
Of course, Gretchen and Slade weren’t alone as their daughter, Skylar Gray Smiley, was trailing behind her dad’s bicycle in a trolley.
In the caption, Gretchen wrote: “No makeup, no fancy dress, or party to attend, just me, my love and my sweet baby girl going for a bike ride, soaking up the sun, and reconnecting with each other!”
Gretchen Rossi gives an update on her daughter, Skylar Gray Smiley
Speaking of nature, it looks like Gretchen and Slade’s daughter, Skylar, has been enjoying her time in the great outdoors. On January 9, the mother of one took to her social page, where she gave a peek at her family’s recent vacation in the “mountains" after she says she "took a little time off Social Media to just be with my family."
In a series of photos, Gretchen shared several snapshots of Skylar bundled up in winter gear to stay warm in the frigid snow. “Sky had the best time getting to play in the snow up at the lake,” Gretchen wrote in the caption, adding, “but unfortunately, I got sick while I was up there. Finally feeling a little better today.”
