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Taking a Break From Blogging to Get Married
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Taking a Break From Blogging to Get Married

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Benny and Eleanor
Eleanor and I. Taken in March 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan

Today is the first post and last post about this particular personal topic. For some it’s a once in a lifetime event. For others it’s a multiple occurrence. I’m planning on the former.

I’m getting married today.

(insert applause!)

It’s a big step for sure, but in my heart I know it’s the right one. If you’ve been a long time reader, you may remember I’ve been in a long distance relationship for three years. We’ve spent time living in each other’s countries (Taipei <—> Florida) in those three years. But there’s been over 12 months in total where Skype and text messaging have been our best friends.

Late last year, we applied for a fiancé visa for Eleanor to come over. We had to prove our relationship through photos, boarding passes, and passport stamps (no problem). She had an interview later (passed). The main requirement for the visa is we have to get married within three months of her arriving.

We had to plan the wedding. Big? Small? Where?

We came to an easy solution. We wanted it simple. We didn’t want the stress of planning. We didn’t want to go into debt cause of it. If she wanted a Kardashian style wedding, we’d have major problems.

We would have been happy just going to downtown and asking, “Where do we get married?” After thinking, I thought that was too simple though. A beach wedding would have been nice but still too much planning.

Then we decided why not go to the city where you can easily get a marriage certificate and do a drive through wedding.

Las Vegas

Vegas baby!!  

We’re not doing a drive thru wedding though. That’s drawing the line for us.

My fiancé did have one wish if we did a Las Vegas wedding. She wanted an Elvis themed wedding.

I thought she was joking at first. Months passed and she wasn’t.

I went back and forth about it. Though I just wanted a more basic ceremony, I went along. It’s not a real Las Vegas wedding unless Elvis walking the bride down the aisle and singing and couple songs. Right?

After searching for the internet for the best chapel, I found one appropriately called Graceland Wedding Chapel. Reviews look great. Jon Bon Jovi got married there. That was the selling point for me (totally kidding).

I never ever thought my wedding day would be like this. I also never ever thought I’d meet someone like Eleanor either.

It’s only family going. Since I had a pretty great first month with my iPhone app, I decided to pay for everyone’s airplane ticket. I hadn’t planned on it, but after the luck I had, I wanted to do something nice.

Tonight we’ll have dinner together at Del Frisco’s Steak House, which comes highly recommended online. I love a great steak! They also have a $1 million James Bond wine table that opens with a push of a button and plays the James Bond theme song. I’ll have to see that.

We’ll spend till Thursday here spending time with family, taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon, and winning some money I hope.

It’ll be nice as well because I haven’t had a vacation since April!

It’s been a dream year since I started to take things more seriously in my life. Getting married will definitely add to it.

I do wonder how does it feel to be married? Anything different? Any advice from married couples? I envision it as just a continuation of our relationship. That’s what I heard from some friends. I’ve also read some people say everything changes once you’re married.

Thank you in advance to those who leave a comment! I’ll look forward to reading the comments when I get back!

 

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Comments

  1. Best wished to you Benny. Getting married is a beautiful thing if it is with the right person, and it sounds like that is the case with you!

    My marriage tip for you is to set a date night every week on week day – especially if you both have busy schedules. Always protect that time.

    Very cool thing that you did paying for everyone’s plane tickets. It’s funny how those things always come around full circle. Congratulations – have a great wedding!

    • Hey Dan! Thanks so much for your comment. Congrats on your recent wedding as well. We had a great time. Just what we wanted.

      Thanks for the tip. That’s really important to set aside time. We’re pretty good about it now but I know once we get busier or start a family, it’ll be even more important.

      Thanks again and glad you joined my tribe!

  2. Ben, that is awesome. Happy for you. I wish you the best in your life. Getting married is beautiful. Enjoyed reading the post so much that I am looking forward to getting married. I bet your a real inspiration to people world wide. Your writing style is unique. Cheers. Looking forward to keep visiting your blog regularly.

    • Thanks for the awesome words Eddie. I hope you find a wonderful person. It’s a big step for me, but I found the perfect person for me so I knew it was the right choice.

      Look forward to seeing you be a part of the community here. Thanks!

  3. Congratulations and best wishes to both of you, Benny! That’s one of the sweetest wedding photos I’ve ever seen. It just puts a smile on one’s face 🙂 Enjoy your happy day!

    • Thanks so much C.A.! The photos turned out way better than I could imagine. We were both so happy with them. My day was wonderful! Thank you so much for your comment!

  4. Benny,
    Congrats my friend! I wish you much happiness and look forward to seeing you back here again soon. By the way, I too will be in Vegas this week…

    • Hey Steve! Hope you had a great trip in Vegas. Definitely a small world that we were both in Vegas at the same time. Glad you could make a trip to the Wynn and meet up.

  5. Congratulations Benny!

    Have a great time in Vegas! And don’t worry – things will only get better after you’re married. 🙂

    • Thanks for the kind words Jill! I’m thinking married life only gets better. I’d like 40 years from now people think that we just started dating. 🙂

  6. Ah Benny, congratulations my friend. That’s so awesome that today is your big day! I’m so darn happy for you!

    I have no doubt that you and Eleanor will be very happy. I know that things are falling into place for you with your life now. Eleanor is only going to be a fabulous addition. Can’t wait to hear about the wedding and how everything went. You better share with us in another post after this fabulous time in your life. I know I want to know.

    You guys have the best time ever and we’ll be here when you get back!

    Enjoy!

    ~Adrienne

    P.S. LOVE that photo. I thought some of your others ones were good, that one is fabulous! You two make such a beautiful couple.

    • Thank you Adrienne!! We love this picture. When we took the picture, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Me hold roses? Smell them? Felt odd, but it’s one of our favorites for sure.

      The wedding went well. The ceremony lasted only 5 mins!! It felt longer than that, but that’s what we wanted. We laughed when Elvis sang and walked her down the aisle. We laughed when he finished with “Viva Las Vegas”. Great times!

      I do miss blogging and connecting so look forward to starting ASAP!

  7. Benny my man!

    Congratulations on the wedding, I’m sure everything will go to plan! You’ll love Vegas, I was there in 2009 and can’t wait to go back. Look forward to talking more when we get back. In the meantime, forget about work and enjoy quality time with your wife and your family (which I’m sure you’re doing).

    You’ve achieved great things this year Benny, which inspires many of us.

    Speak soon,

    Robert

    PS Congratulations and best wishes once again!

    • Hey Robert! Were you in Vegas for fun? Where did you stay? I love Vegas, but if I’m losing money I’m ready to get home. LOL.

      Thanks for the kind words. We had a great time. I’ll look to post some pictures in the future once we get them.

      Great to hear from you and glad to see you back blogging. I miss reading other blogs and comments so I’m going to get started soon again.

  9. Congratulations Benny! Getting married is the best thing I ever did. Especially since I married my best friend. That was nearly three years ago and the day after our third wedding anniversary is the due date of our first child. We are supper excited!

    My advice for you is to enjoy some time together before even thinking about having a baby. Being Taiwanese, I’m sure that her parent have already asked when the grand-children are coming. That’ll be the hard part. Simply tell them that you’re just practicing! 😉

    Congrats again Benny!

    -Matt

    • Hahahaha..thanks Matt! We definitely want to enjoy being newlyweds. Of course grandkid talk will come up but we’re taking our time.

      Congrats on your upcoming baby!! I’ve heard nothing but people saying having a child is the best thing ever. So excited for you!!

  10. Long Distance for three years?!? That is a big testament of your love. I’m so happy and proud that you’re making this step. I hope all the best on this trip as I know it’ll be a fun one.

    You deserve a beautiful wife! Have a beautiful. beautiful wedding!

    <3

    • It definitely was. If I wasn’t serious I wouldn’t have spent thousands of dollars on flight tickets going back and forth!

      We had a great, quick wedding! Hope you’re doing well!

  11. Congrats, Benny! You two make an absolutely adorable couple, and what a great story you have to tell. You’ll love marriage–there is nothing like the constant companionship of always having your best friend at your side. Enjoy your big day!

    • Thank you Cordelia! It’s a great feeling to know that I’ve married my best friend. I’m so lucky in that department. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Our big day was fun! Elvis all made us laugh!

  13. Benny,

    I’m so delighted and excited for you and Eleanor! The both of you look stunning and lovely in the feature photo!

    Marriage is definitely a huge step for everyone. I’m so glad that everything worked out and went well despite the two of you having to maintain a long distance relationship over a period of 3 years. That’s incredible and very inspiring.

    Ever since I chanced upon your blog, you’ve been a major inspiration and help in what I’ve been doing so far. I really wish Eleanor and you all the best and I’m very sure your marriage will last more than a lifetime.

    Thank you for sharing this joyous occasion with all of us. You’ll be in my prayers. God bless! Be safe! Have a ball of a time! 🙂

    //Daniel

    • Being long distance definitely is tough but I think it’s really helped us with communication. We ‘ve really gotten to know each other more because of it. Also, it was a real test to see if we wanted to be together. In the end, it definitely was meant to be!

      I’m glad you’ve found my blog. I love what I do here and plan on doing it for awhile. I do owe you a reply to your email. I will get to it I promise when i get caught up with everything!

    • Hey Lisa! Thanks so much. After one week of being married, it feels pretty wonderful. We haven’t missed a step in our relationship. Actually it feels a bit better. 🙂

    • Thanks Justice! Elvis did not disappoint. He sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Viva Las Vegas”. He said he’s been doing it for 16 years and loves it.

  16. Congrats to you and Eleanor! You make a very handsome/beautiful couple. Tip: Never take each other for granted. Always appreciate one another. God bless and have a wonderful time!

    -Seleema

  17. Congrats Benny! You sound so positive, I can only imagine good things in the future for you and your GORGEOUS bride!

    • Thanks very much Michelle! I do try and stay positive! Sometimes it works. Sometimes it fails. Had a moment that really tested my ability to stay positive on this Vegas trip. Will work on a post about it!

      Thanks for the compliment for Eleanor. She’ll love it!

  19. Hey Benny,
    Congratulations! Amazing man and I wish you and Eleanor much luck. Marriage is amazing. It gets better every year and you can’t imagine how much fun it is to have your best friend with you all the time. I’ll see about a wedding gift!

    Take care,

    Aaron

    • Thank you Aaron! I’m glad to know it’s only going to get better. That’s awesome! Thanks again for sending that gift. You really didn’t have it. Can’t wait to see it!

  20. Congrats! I’ve been married for 10 years. Can’t believe it right? I look so young…haha! My advice…when you get into disagreements…before really getting into it…consider whether it’s really worth investing time in. When I was in my first 4 years of marriage I think we were both really stubborn and stuck to our guns on things. As we both matured we realized how dumb some of our disagreements were and found it easier to get over it and move on. Our relationship has grown and continues to grow…I can say it’s better now than it was in our honeymoon phase. Congrats again. Your wife is gorgeous!

    • I was going to say you look so young that I can’t believe you’ve been married 10 years. Congrats!! Thanks so much for the advice. I know marriage takes a commitment from both sides. We’ll definitely keep that in mind.

      Isn’t she gorgeous? I don’t know how I got so lucky!

      Thanks Alison!

  21. Congratulations Benny! I saw your Facebook update today 🙂 I wish you and Eleanor all the very best and you guys look beautiful together.

    – Lily

  23. Congrats Benny! That’s so cool you paid for your family to come out and celebrate!

    As a happily married young guy (4 years) I can say it’s easily the best decision I’ve ever made. The first year was really fun and we learned a lot about each other. Since then it just keeps getting better and better! It’s fun how my wife has become my behind-the-scenes partner for Life Stoked too.

    Best wishes to you and your new bride!

    • I’m glad your wife is getting to live our her dream! Hope that new adventure is going well. Thanks for sharing your marriage experience. I look forward to it getting better and better! It’s pretty great already!

      Thanks for your best wishes!

  24. Awesome! I’d say that’s a pretty good reason to take a break from blogging! We need to do that every once in a while – take a break, that is. 🙂

    Congrats to you both!

    • Thank you Brock! It was nice to get away but I miss blogging and everything that comes with it. It’s great to come back and see the comments people left while I was away. I’m ready to get back into it!

  25. Wow! You better get married! WHOOT!!!

    I’m so happy for you two. It’s amazing to know your story and see how living an epic life can lead to finding the love of your life. Congrats!!!

    • Thanks Antwon! It’s been a great year and this made it even better. Thanks for your first comment here. Hope you’ll be back more often.

    • Ramy! Thanks buddy! We’re taking it one day at a time, but we’ve enjoy our relationship the past three years. It’s gotten better and better. Plus others have told me in the comments that it only gets better.

  27. Benny,
    The day i decide to reconnect to my blogging buddies and i go and find out you are getting married. Serendipity.

    Congratulations Benny. If the last year is any indication as to your future, i think you and Eleanor are going to be so happy. I just don’t see you as the type of guy, (now couple) who will sit by and let life take control.

    My advice to you and Eleanor. Is don’t let the Honeymoon End. Inject fun and surpirse into your relationship as often as you can. Don’t get complacent. Eleanor will fall in love with you all over again everyday and you will be the happiest man alive…

    I really am so very very happy for you. You, deserve it.
    p.s.
    I’ve been in marseille for 6 days now. i would love if you and Eleanor want to take a trip out to Marseille. You can stay with us. We are right in the center of the city, near metros, near the marina and shops. Plus, the rest of France is only a Train ride away.
    It’s been a crazy good year hasn’t it???

    • Annie!! I’ve been wondering what you’ve been up to! So great to hear from you. That is crazy the day you decide to reconnect, you found me getting married.

      Thanks for the advice. I’ll be sure to keep thinking lively. We keep hoping that we’ll feel like this 10,20,30,40 years from now. We can’t predict the future, but only keep making sure we don’t get complacent!

      Glad you’re in Marseille now!! So where are your husband and kids? LOL! I’m joking of course. We would love to take a trip to Europe! She wants to go to France. I haven’t been since I was young. We’ll keep you in mind for sure when we do make that trip! How long are you staying overseas? Send me an email if you have a chance and fill me in!

    • Thank you Aaron for your comment! We had a great time in Vegas. Just what we wanted. Quick ceremony, but full of laughs. Hoping the laughing will continue forever!

  30. Wow congrats Benny!  I love that pic of you guys. I think that is totally rockin you guys are getting married in Vegas with your family. And an Elvis wedding – awesome! 🙂

    The weirdest thing about being married is calling your significant your wife/husband but after a month or two it’s second nature. You guys will be great. Expect bumps and arguments down the road and work through them together as quickly as possible and you’ll continue to grow closer. Congrats!!!! -Sydney 

    • Sydney! You’re right about calling each other wife/husband. It’s so weird for me. I was just getting used to fiance and now I have a different word i have to use!

      Hope you’re enjoying your trip to Turkey!!

  31. Wow, i just thought the story was incredible! It is so sweet and i commend you both for doing long distance because i know it is tough! I don’t know you but i am so happy for you,and wish you all the best in your new lives together!!! congrats!

    • Thank you Meagan! I’m glad you enjoyed our story! Being half way around the world is not easy but we didn’t want to give up because of distance. Some people complain when their significant other lives in a different state! I wish we had that problem. LOL. Thanks for finding my blog and leaving a comment for your first visit!

  32. Benny, that’s great news and congratulations man.

    My cousin did the same with her Italian boyfriend just to make it legal quickly, and they later had a “real” wedding to solidify it.

    P.S. I assume if you’re wife is from Taipei, ????????

    Peace, good luck, and a happy start 😉

    • Thank you Alexander! Yes my wife is from Taipei! Great city. You should go one day if you make it to Asia. Our wedding was great. Just what we wanted!

  33. Enjoy it brother,I’m happy for both you and your wife and wish nothing but the best for you both. If you get the chance try out the indoor sky diving.

    • Hey Paul! Thanks so much. Funny that you mention indoor skydiving. It was something I looked at but didn’t do cause of time. Next time for sure. I’m assuming you did it. I read online reviews and many people said it was fun!

  34. Hey Benny, Congratulations on Getting Married! Your truly having a wonderful year.

    I wonder, will you be wearing that funny Elvis hairdo? Enjoy your honeymoon, your well deserved time-off and the married life.

    Armand Polanski

  36. Congratulations!!! I just got back from being a bridesmaid in the most beautiful backyard wedding, and I have to say that it doesn’t matter where you get married or how much you spend as long as you are with the people you love. I’ve been to huge, lavish weddings and this was probably the most intimate one I’ve been to- and I honestly thought it was the most beautiful. Not only because the setting itself was nice, but because the family and friends of the bride and groom are the ones who really put it together. Best of luck to both of you in your new life together.

    • Thank you so much! A lavish wedding is fun to go to, but that’s not what we wanted. I would have gone crazy planning something big. We had the wedding we want. It was great. Thanks for your comment!

  39. Wow! Congratulations, Benny! Sorry, I was just reading your post and saw you got married. How exciting is that! What a beautiful, beautiful couple indeed. I am so happy for you.

    Let’s see… Some marriage advice. Always put each other first, enjoy each moment together and continue having an open line of communication.

    Congrats again, my friend!!!

    Allyson

  40. Congratulations Benny! HAHA Elvis sounds awesome. You better post some pictures of the ceremony. Can’t wait to see how it turned out. Also kudos for paying for all your relatives to fly out. Luck if a function of generosity. I think Ashton Kutcher was the person that said that, but I’ve heard it repeated elsewhere before.

    Hope everything is going well for you buddy!

  41. Well, time to trade in your M3 for a minivan..hahahahaha..Just kiddin!

    CONGRATS! my man. That’s sweet. Nothing like the close love of a good woman by a mans side.

    Good luck to your adventure in marriage and I wish you two the best it has to offer.

  42. Love the picture and sounds like you had an amazing day! Communication is key. Also, now that you are married, whatever drive or power you had will be amplified. You are head of a household and have a wife that depends on you. Nothing can get you more fired up than that. I’m sure it even goes higher when you have a little one on the way. Enjoy the honeymoon, newlywed!

    • Hey Buck! Thanks for the advice. You’re right that I definitely need to step up everything in my life. I have to support both of us! I have to keep that in mind everyday when I start to get lazy. As for the honeymoon, we haven’t been on one yet! After the wedding, her mom and friend were still in the United States so we took them to Disney. So we haven’t had an official honeymoon yet. We’re waiting to redeem that when the time is right. That will never expire right? 🙂

    • Thanks Chukwuka! I really appreciate it my friend. I wake up every morning and go to bed every night thankful that I met her.

    • It’s never too late for a comment. 🙂 Thanks so much for the really nice words! I’m a really lucky guy. I love the pic of your wedding ceremony. You both looked happy! Simple and quick was the way to go for us as well. But she really wanted Elvis and so I was so glad she approved of the one we got!

  46. That’s an adorable picture! Glad I stumbled onto your blog from the comment you left on my husband’s page (travelbypoints.com). Lots of terrific material here on how to live an inspired life! BTW, we also got married in Vegas, but didn’t have as elaborate a ceremony as your Elvis themed wedding. We also recently traveled to Jacksonville, FL for the first time earlier this year (on route to Amelia Island).

    • Hi Prana! Oh that’s your husbands blog? Awesome! I came upon it from another travel blog, but I can’t remember which. He was super helpful in answer my questions. Great content too and I’ll definitely be back!

      I wouldn’t call our Elvis wedding that elaborate. LOL. It literally took five minutes, but it was lots of fun. Did you also get married in a small chapel or just sign the paperwork? That’s great you got to come through this part of Florida. Amelia Island is a great place.

      I’m getting more into collecting miles and points so I’ll be checking out your blog as well!

      • Haha, yes, we just signed the paperwork, so relatively speaking yours was more elaborate. 😛 We just started blogging and I continue to be amazed at how helpful, kind and inspiring the blogging community is. Makes me wonder why we waited so long!

        Thanks for the link to Danny Iny. I just started reading about him through your mention and think he’s fantastic. If we sign up for this course, we’ll be sure to use your link.

        And finally, thanks for your kind words regarding our blogs – if we can be of help in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. 🙂

        • Your husband said you both went through the K-1 visa process. Have you already gone through the AOS as well? We’re still waiting for our interview. It’s been six months already and still waiting.

          Blogging is truly amazing! I also have met some wonderful people from blogging.

          Danny is a nice guy and really has grown his audience a lot in just one year. Appreciate using the aff link if you sign up! I told your husband that I’ll use his Hyatt Visa link when I sign up for the card.

          I will definitely be asking you if I have questions about points!

          • My husband went through the AOS (it took almost 3 years for him). When he finally got his passport, we went to Italy to celebrate.

            Jimmy doesn’t have any affiliate links of his own at the moment, but posts whatever links he finds that provides the best sign up offer for the particular card.

      • Benny, nice blog! In our case, I was the fiance that came over on a fiance visa and then had to get married in 90 days after entering the country.

        Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite movies, too. My favorite line is “The salvation lies within.”

        • Hey Jimmy! I met your wife earlier in the comment and she mentioned she found me from your comment on your blog! Thanks for the help with Hyatt. When I sign up for the card, I’ll be sure to sign up through your link. Just waiting for the Hyatt Diamond status trial period to start.

          Nice to meet someone else who had to go through the K-1 fiance visa process! Lots of fun. LOL.

          You have a great blog as well. Love the info you put out. Will be a regular vistor there. Thanks!

          • I didn’t realize you didn’t have your own links yet. I thought you had been blogging much longer cause of the quality of your posts! Do we have the same last name? Mine is Hsu.

          • Benny, sorry, in my last comment, I actually typed the Chinese character, but it showed up as “??.” Your last name spelling is the Taiwanese way, and mine is the Mainland Chinese way. I am pretty sure we do share the same last name. Thank you again for your compliment! It means a lot coming from a veteran blogger who also reads a lot of other travel blogs!

  47. I am sooo late in congratulating for the big day. But what the heck (better late than neverrr), 😀 CONGRATS MAN!!! 😀 Wish you an awesome life full of fun, positivity and more positivity (to push the negativity away) and to be more awesome. 😀

    I still have to experience that married life effect. And reading this post and its comments got me all excited. 😀

    Now… uh… to find that somebody… 😛

  48. Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary. Marriage is a beautiful arrangement from our Creator, one that should be cherished for a lifetime. There are times, however, when you don’t always see eye to eye with you mate.

    This is when help is needed from a source higher than ourselves. Please consider the following article to learn how to manage conflicts better. There’s always something we can learn and implement in our lives. ENJOY!!!

    http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20080201/managing-conflicts/

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