Our honeymoon & my first time in beautiful Mexico was one to remember, the good, the bad and the laugh until you cry moments, which there were plenty of. However, it also has me thinking of how grateful and privileged we are to live in a country where amenities such as a nice hot shower, air conditioned everything, safety, education, steady paychecks, a working vehicle & transportation options for most have come to be the norm, whereas in Mexico people are reduced to hard working conditions for very little money and no prospect of ever obtaining a higher education. Let alone a well paid job to secure a life for themselves and their children. But something we learned is that regardless of the circumstances, the people we came across are some of the most kind-hearted and generous we've ever met.

​Our intimate winter elopement took place at the beautiful and historic Minneapolis City Hall. We exchanged our wedding vows on the grand staircase of the rotunda surrounded by stained glass windows and glistening carved Italian marble.  

Following the ceremony, we took the party to Coup D'état, our former staple and favorite place when we lived in Uptown. We finally had a reason to use the private dining room with its glitzy chandeliers that we've had our eyes on for quite a while. Many summer nights were spent at this restaurant, including a New Year's Eve, so it held some memories dear to our hearts. Our parents gave speeches, we toasted to love and laughed until we cried tears of joy.

It was truly a day and night we will never forget with people we know will always be by our side.

All of our stunning photos are by Rochelle Louise Photography. You can find her beautiful work and site here and follow her on Instagram here.

Jason's and I relationship has never followed the traditional route since the day we met...from the first 5 dates in various cities around the U.S. to tattoos (my first one) with our initials even before engagement and to our first home purchase before marriage. That is why after we got engaged in Summer of 2016 and once we started thinking about our wedding plans for the following summer of 2017, "traditional" just never felt right or quite 'us'. 

Following an exciting few days and a proposal later in Slovenia, we embarked on our long bus journey to Istra as a newly engaged couple ready for some Croatian sun and Vitamin SEA. After a pit stop in Trieste, Italy, we arrived at sunset in what seemed was still Italy, the charming town of Rovinj, Croatia. Istria or Istra is a heart-shaped peninsula nestled in the northwestern corner of Croatia on the coast of crystal blue Adriatic Sea. Because of its proximity to Italy, the two towns we visited, Rovinj and Pula embodied the spirit of Italy. Rovinj, with its delicious Italian inspired food, wine and Tuscan like structures and Pula, with its very own amphitheater. 

Monday, June 27th 2016 – on our second day of 20 Days Through the Balkans European trip, I said YES at one of the most romantic places – Lake Bled, Slovenia. 

On day 1 of 20 Days through the Balkans Adventure, we woke up in what can only be described as a real life fairy tale city. Nestled in Eastern Europe, Ljubljana (pronounced LOO-blee-yana) is the capital of Slovenia and the hidden gem you have been searching for. Not only does the name translate into beloved, it also rhymes with my mama's name, Ljuba. ツ

When Jason lived in Las Vegas, our weekend trips when I visited consisted of quick jaunts to places like Los Angeles, Sedona, and Utah. Upon moving to Minneapolis, our choices for quick weekend getaways were…..well a tad bit more limed. Having already visited the most coveted destination, Chicago, we deiced to take the road less traveled and make the 6 hour drive in the opposite direction, to Omaha, Nebraska. To our slight surprise, the City of Omaha had us quite mesmerized. 

Words of Daniel H. Burnham, Director of Works for the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. Having just read the Devil in the White City ​and as cabin fever started to set in during the hot summer Minnesota months, we decided to make a quick 6 hour jaunt to one of my favorite cities for city planning, architecture and colorful history….and to ring in my 29th date of birth. 

In late October of 2015, walking professionals and advocates a like gathered in the nation's capital, Washington D.C. to rejoice, learn and commemorate the National Walking movement at the second Walking Summit. To my surprise and excitement, I rejoiced when I was told I would be attending this highly anticipated event and to have the honor to present on the Minnesota Statewide Pedestrian System Plan.
 
Not only was I excited to revel in everything walking, but even more so, I was ecstatic to experience one of the greatest city designs I read about while in school and the unique vision and concept of one of the greatest city planners to have ever lived, Pierre Charles L’Enfant - the city planning geek in me was beyond joy and excitement. L’Enfant’s legacy lives in the grand plan for D.C. in which the wide avenues, public squares and inspiring buildings gave way to a magnificent plan which is unlike any other city in the U.S. 
 
After a full week of learning and rejoicing in the walking movement and 20 miles of walking later, these are the top 6 things we enjoyed the most and would visit over and over again if given the opportunity to fly again to this wanderous city.