Yup, I Got Hitched!

Photo: Emily Helen, Best Kauai Wedding Photographer

On Feb 12^th at 4pm, under the warm glow of the afternoon sun and feeling the refreshing sea breeze, I got married to Jeremy on the beautiful Moloa’a beach in a small and intimate ceremony administered by my dad, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. (photos here)

It is true what they say. Love comes when you’re least expecting it…. At least, that’s what happened to me.

Here is the tale of my love story and what I’ve learned – from finding love, to planning the big day.

Section 1: The Courtship

My Romance Journey

I have been a serial dater (that’s right!) for most of my early and mid twenties. In a quest to find self acceptance and approval through others, I had gotten into relationships for many of the wrong reasons: fear of being alone, financial and emotional security, reputation, feeling successful by association, casual sex that turned into committed relationships with the wrong people, etc.

In the game of finding love, I did well on the surface, but I resented the power it had over me. I would bounce back and forth between hating the dating game and vowing that I shall stay single, and staying up until 2am compulsively browsing dating profiles in an act of desperation.

I felt truly lost.

You may have read from my last article on finding love that my freedom day came in 2006 when I experienced a miraculous level of clarity in understanding why my relationships were causing me so much pain. From that day forward, I stopped looking externally, and worked on understanding and loving myself.

For a year, I was not involved in any relationships, and had spent most of my free time learning and practicing the art of self love. I took myself on dates, I read books that nurtured my soul, I meditated, I studied relationships, and I took up drawing and writing.

The transformation and growth I experienced happened silently and powerfully. Months had passed before realizing that I had connected with a deeper part of myself, and that I was happier than ever before. I no longer felt lonely. I no longer felt the need to find love.

During this period, I learned that I didn’t need another person in order to feel loved, beautiful and complete. And I learned that loneliness is how we have chosen to feel when we forget that we are already connected with love, and that we are already whole.

It was after making this realization that love started knocking on my door.

Serendipity Happens: How We Met

Jeremy and I were work acquaintances. We met two years ago, during a tour of the photo studio, while I interviewed with his team for an engineering position. Little did I know at the time; that interaction had planted the seed in Jeremy that would bloom two years later.

Last summer, during the last weeks leading up to my departure from my job at Amazon, I started listing household items as for-sale on an internal mailing list. On a curious midweek afternoon, I received an email from Jeremy, asking whether I was moving, and ending the email with “Oh, and I’ll take the milk frother.”

According to Jeremy, when he found out that I was leaving the company and moving out of town, he felt a strong pull inside him that compelled him to contact me before I left.

Buying the milk frother from me was just an excuse to meet in person. To make a long story short, over the span of several days, the milk frother exchange turned into several intense conversations where we realized our connection, and Jeremy confessed his love. I felt deeply conflicted between feeling happy and experiencing guilt for being happy.

At the time, I was on the ending trail of a previous relationship, and I had to confront the conflict between following the pull of my heart and soul and doing what might appear to be socially questionable. It was a rough and emotionally exhausting period in which we sorted out complications and brought closure to our previous relationships.

Initially, we were afraid to be misunderstood and judged by other people, especially our friends and family. But over time, we realized that life is precious, and we should be living a life that’s true to ourselves, instead of living for the sake of pleasing other people while denying our own needs. In the end, the friendships that really mattered to us chose to stand by our side, fully and unquestionably supporting us.

I chose to follow my heart, and looking back, it was the right decision.

How do I know I made the right decision? It just felt right!

The milk frother now sits happily on our kitchen counter – unused as usual – and quietly reminding us the miracles that comes with every moment.

Summary: Lessons on Finding Love

Here’s what I’ve learned so far about the process of finding love:

When you love yourself, you will appear more beautiful to the outside world.
You cannot find love, it finds you when you are ready. Instead of waiting for it to “happen“, spend time focusing on improving yourself and loving yourself.
We are all actors in the universal play of life. We cannot predict the future with certainty, and when something is meant to happen, it happens regardless of how we expect things to play out.
Love happens when we are least expecting it. Impatiently waiting for it to happen will only lead to disappointment. Trust that it will happen when the time is right, and continue to seek and experience the joy happening in your life right now.
Once you are in a relationship, go travel together. Travelling is a great way to filter out ill-fitted romantic partnerships. Traveling can be stressful, and seeing how well you gel together in stressful situations can be very insightful. It’s okay to have grumpy moments when you’re stressed out, point is, these moments give you an opportunity to see if you can handle your partner when they are moody and displaying their worst behavior.
Be brave. When a relationship is no longer working out, speak with your heart. Honesty and courage have the power to help you through any adverse scenario. Always voice out what it is that you want. Don’t settle, because you’re worth more than that. In the long run, being honest will secure the best situation for everyone involved.

Section 2: The Wedding

Photo: Emily Helen, Best Kauai Wedding Photographer

Since I was a little girl – I’ve had a vision of what my fairy tale wedding would be like. A fancy reception held at a large hall, where friends and family gathered to see me being swept off my feet by a prince charming on a white horse.

As I became an adult, and with the more weddings I attended, the more I realized that often times couples are so preoccupied and distracted with wedding details that they forget to focus on each other when the big day came. Not to mention, such weddings are expensive, thus adding to the stress.

I have been engaged once before, and had mentally prepared for a large wedding then. But once I had envisioned it, I no longer felt the need to make it a reality. I realized that the root of wanting a large wedding was to show off, and showing off isn’t worth the amount of money one could use instead to buy a new car. I much preferred saving that money for a rainy day, than blowing it on a big party that lasts only one night. Besides, the point of a wedding is to celebrate love and the union of two souls, not to impress friends and family.

For this reason, Jeremy and I wanted to elope. But eloping wasn’t the answer that would satisfy the cravings of a loving mother, wanting to watch her little girl get married. So, we decided against eloping but to keep the wedding private to family members.

Because we had kept it small, the details were manageable without a wedding planner, and were pulled together within a few weeks, with the most difficult part being coordinating the travel details. I ordered the dress and veil online and had the alterations done by my favorite tailor in Seattle. We picked out the types of flowers and arrangements we liked and then made a few calls to florists before placing an order.

We chose the most amazing photographer living on Kauai to do our photos. Being photographers ourselves, Jeremy and I were extremely picky when it came to finding a photographer. After reviewing about fifty different photographers, we decided Emily Helen was simply the best. I contacted her and worked out a mutually beneficial deal, where we paid a significantly reduced rate in exchange for my consulting services to help her business.

Jeremy and I wrote our own vows, and when the big day came, the experience exceeded any expectations that I had. My dad conducted the ceremony, my mom was the ring bearer, Jeremy had decorated the cake, and I decorated the reception table. It was all very sweet and intimate.

To reflect our individual spiritual practices, my dad had designed a uniquely multi-denominational service that incorporated pieces from modern day sages Ekhart Tolle and Paramahamsa Nithyananda, as well as from Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. There were a lot of tears, and a lot of laughter.

I wish you all were there!

Summary: Lessons on Wedding Planning

Weddings can be extremely costly. Because wedding venders know that couples usually work from a budget, they expect a large pay off, and will charge unreasonably. Be conscious of what you are paying for a given service. Just because you have budgeted the money, it doesn’t mean you need to spend all of it. And just because some people are spending $30,000 on a wedding, that doesn’t mean that you need to do the same.
We all have preconceived notions of how a wedding is supposed to look, and so when we get married, we try to make it appear like that image in our imagination. Stop for a second and ask yourself why you would need that particular something, and you can save yourself a lot of money. For example, I had envisioned a 3 tiered wedding cake, but we didn’t have 100 people coming to the reception to consume it, so it really didn’t make any sense. But I had latched on to that idea because it matched my image of a wedding. We didn’t end up having a 3 tiered cake, not because we didn’t try, but because circumstances did not allow it. In the end, the single tiered cake we got was perfect, and we still couldn’t finish all of it.
Relinquish the idea that everything needs to be perfect. Trust that things will go as they are meant to, and even if some detail doesn’t go as planned, let it go! Focus on why you are there in the first place. Focus on the love you feel for your partner. This will bring you peace and minimize unnecessary stress.

Parting Words

Thank you for listening to my story. I had debated on whether or not to make this a public post. In the end, this site is about happiness, and I felt that by sharing a slice of happiness from my own life I might inspire hope in some, and satisfy curiosity in others. :) Thank you again for listening.

For photos from the beach ceremony, check out SimplyTina, additional wedding photos are posted on Facebook.

Special thank you goes out to Emily and Josh for helping us during our stay:

Kauai Wedding Photographer – Emily was an amazing photographer and person. We loved working with her. Thank for for suggesting Moloaa for us.
Josh from Kauai Exclusive, hooked us up with the most amazing deals at Waipouli Beach Resort. Thank you! Thank you!

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91 Responses (88 Comments, 3 Trackbacks ):

Comments

Rob

Feb 26 09, 4:21 pm PST

1
Congratulations to the two of you. It sounds perfect.

Just the way it should be!
Daphne

Feb 26 09, 4:47 pm PST

2
Hi Tina, thanks for sharing this. I love happy stories and I like what you said about having the wedding you really want, not the wedding you feel obliged to put on. Congratulations to you and Jeremy!
Adam Sicinski

Feb 26 09, 5:34 pm PST

3
Congrats Tina. I wish the both of you the greatest of happiness, health and success :)
Marc and Angel Hack Life

Feb 26 09, 6:07 pm PST

4
Congrats Tina! When you’re with someone you truly admire, marriage is a wonderful journey. ;-)
Silas
Feb 26 09, 7:00 pm PST

5
Congratulations Tina!! Wishing you well in your life together – all the best!
Sharry
Feb 26 09, 7:16 pm PST

6
Congrats Tina. May you have all the blessings. :)
Ariel

Feb 26 09, 8:09 pm PST

7
Congratulations to you and Jeremy on tying the knot together, Tina! Thank you for sharing your story with us. My Love to you. :)
Andre

Feb 26 09, 8:18 pm PST

8
Hey congratulations Tina! I wish you and Jeremy a wonderful life together. And thanks for sharing your heart-warming story with us all. Beautiful wedding photos btw!

Andre
Zoe

Feb 26 09, 9:36 pm PST

9
Lovely photos, and such a lovely story.
tiffany

Feb 26 09, 9:56 pm PST

10
congratulations Tina! such a beautiful wedding. Jared and I felt the same way about our wedding and we scrapped a large wedding in Seattle for a small wedding in Jamaica. it was the best decision and I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.

Best wishes for you and Jeremy! Enjoy calling each other husband and wife! :)
Winnie Lim

Feb 26 09, 10:30 pm PST

11
Congratulations Tina! :) I’ve spent most of my life looking for ‘the one’ to ‘complete me’, and just like you, the person appeared at the time when I was no longer looking and have learnt to love myself and see myself as a whole individual.
Aw

Feb 26 09, 10:52 pm PST

12
Cong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dori
Feb 26 09, 11:52 pm PST

13
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story!
And yes, the most wonderful man I could have ever hoped for appeared for me when I was no longer looking. It’s hard to believe until it actually happens. Also, life experiences and lessons have been different since I have been married and even more different since I’ve had kids…I look forward to seeing the turn your posts may (or may not) take.
Best wishes.
Gala

Feb 27 09, 12:15 am PST

14
I’m so happy for you, kitten! Congratulations. <3
Vincent

Feb 27 09, 1:42 am PST

15
Hi Tina,

Congrats to you!

I agree on what you said on we need to love ourselves before others can love us. When we are able to love ourselves, we are in a positive state and others will be more willing to love us compared to someone who is miserable and lack self esteem.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Jarkko Laine

Feb 27 09, 5:43 am PST

16
Congratulations, guys! This is awesome – and so beautiful!
Roger - A Content Life

Feb 27 09, 6:01 am PST

17
Congratulations! I’ve been married for almost twenty-five years and I love my wife more than when we first married.
pm

Feb 27 09, 7:52 am PST

18
Congratulations! You did a good, right thing to share happiness. Good thoughts build more good thoughts and the world certainly needs more of that good stuff!
ed

Feb 27 09, 7:54 am PST

19
Thank you for spreading the happiness. We all need to read more happy stories. Peace!
Kristin

Feb 27 09, 7:55 am PST

20
Wow! Congratulations, Tina and Jeremy! What beautiful happy photos. Wishing you much health, happiness, and growth all your life together!
JillP
Feb 27 09, 8:16 am PST

21
Congrats Tina!

What an awesome story – thank you for sharing. I hope you’re both always as happy as you look in your beautiful photos!
Klavdija

Feb 27 09, 8:34 am PST

22
Thanks Tina for sharing your special moments with us. It felt like I was there. I think you got a big wedding anyway :)
All the best!
sharon
Feb 27 09, 8:58 am PST

23
hi tina!! :) thats so great!!! and the pics are veerry pretty.. hehe. :) i’m very happy for you!
Cheryl Wright

Feb 27 09, 9:11 am PST

24
Congratulations Jeremy and Tina.
Leigh Harris

Feb 27 09, 9:26 am PST

25
Tina,

Congratulations – what a beautiful article, and lovely photos!

I’ve been following “Think Simple Now” since Nov 07. You’ve given me inspiration personally and in my writing.

One question I’ve never been able to answer though: How do you keep your writing so simple and to the point? My writing tends to expand and wander, not go deeper, though my writing critique group helps me immensely.

How do you do such a great job of this?

Leigh
Chris Walter

Feb 27 09, 10:00 am PST

26
<3 the wedding photos! You have the cutest smile!
J.D. Meier

Feb 27 09, 10:14 am PST

27
Congratulations!

You followed your heart and that’s the key. I like how you put it — “it just felt right.”

It’s funny how life plays out and sometimes it seems like a canned script and other times it unfolds in ways we can’t predict … even when we’re the director of our own lives ;)
Daniel Richard

Feb 27 09, 10:24 am PST

28
Ahh! Congrats to both of ya. I can’t help but to say that I really do want mine to come pretty soon too. But for now, all smiles and cheers goes to Jeremy and yourself too! Thanks for sharing this article and journey here Tina! :)
valerie

Feb 27 09, 10:35 am PST

29
Many many congratulations. Be blessed in your new life together.
Uzma
Feb 27 09, 11:41 am PST

30
Congratulations to the both of you. The post was a wonderful, wonderful, surprise . And am sure it brought many smiles, to all the readers. A great way to begin your married journey ; by spreading smiles. :-)
Every happiness and joy to the both of you. May you’ll spread love and bask in it yourselves.
I read with my eyes and heart , sticking to every word you say.
Mubarak (congratulations in Urdu language from India).
happiness and love always.
Uzma
Nathalie Lussier

Feb 27 09, 12:13 pm PST

31
Congratulations Tina! :) The photos were wonderful, and I loved hearing about your happy story. I’m glad you decided to post it publicly, because we can all learn from each other. Besides, you’ve given me some good tips for my own wedding. ;)
Simple Mindz

Feb 27 09, 2:11 pm PST

32
Awwww, that was an awesome story! Congrats!! :)
Pictures are beautiful!
Asianmommy

Feb 27 09, 2:20 pm PST

33
Congratulations to you & Jeremy! Your wedding pictures look beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story.
Giannino
Feb 27 09, 3:38 pm PST

34
you´re right … every one finally gets his dreams come true when following his own heart with confidence and courage. Thank for sharing this with all of us!

Don´t forget to fill your marriage of true love and true forgiveness. Please see 1Cor:13.

Congratulations to both of you!
Have the best time of your life together.

Cheers!
Tony
Feb 27 09, 4:34 pm PST

35
Shine on you guys!
Tina Su

Feb 27 09, 6:03 pm PST

36
@Leigh Harris

One question I’ve never been able to answer though: How do you keep your writing so simple and to the point? My writing tends to expand and wander, not go deeper, though my writing critique group helps me immensely.
How do you do such a great job of this?

Hi Leigh, Thank you so much for the encouraging compliment, and thank you for reading! I’m blushing right now. *^_^*

To answer your question, I’ll summarize using the points below:

1. Topic – I only write about topics I am currently pondering, or I currently feel passionate about. The more emotions I feel, the easier I can allow the words to flow when I write.

2. No Pressure – I don’t write for the sake of needing to produce an article or to follow an arbitrary deadline. I write when I am inspired. Similar to the first point, on writing about topics that I feel deeply inspired by and connected to. These first two points will help with depth.

3. Intention – Before writing, I set out the intention for the type of articles I will write. Sometimes I’ll event write the intention down in several descriptive words, like “Simple, Inspiring, Honest”

4. Purpose – Before writing an article, I often write out one paragraph describing the point of the article; It answers what am I trying to achieve with this article? I refer back to this paragraph during writing.

5. Editing – It’s okay to expand and wander when you write, it helps with keeping the flow going. But you can cut them out during editing if they do not support the main point (paragraph from point 4). Be harsh when you cut words out. Re-read the article several times, each time asking if you can omit or reword sentences to make it shorter, clearer, easier to understand.

Also, you may have seen the related articles on writing. Here are here if you need them:
Connect with Your Creative Writer
15 Tips for Writing Effective Email
Pen Zen: Bring Clarity to Writing

Hope this is helpful!

Warmly,
Tina
Tina Su

Feb 27 09, 6:10 pm PST

37
To Everyone who’s commented here, Thank you soo sooo much for your sweet wishes and continued support. It means a lot to us! :)

The story of our courtship above was written very objectively and without a lot of the details that made it exceedingly magical for us. From our perspective, it felt like a fairy tale. When we told the story to Christie the hairdresser who did my hair on the big day, she cried, and hugged us. Someday, I hope to share the story in depth to you.

Love,
Tina & Jeremy
Antonia

Feb 27 09, 7:26 pm PST

38
Hi Tina, congratulations!! Both of you are just so adorable together.

I agree on your point of having a simple but meaningful wedding.

I wrote you a personal message two days ago, I’m not sure if you got it. Anyway, I’m still on the way to process your fruitful articles for the 2nd time. =)

Once again, you’ve such a beautiful soul.

Thank you very much, and I wish you a lot of happiness, love and success, as always. Cheers for your new life with Jeremy. =)

Much love.

P/S: The photos are wonderful!!

**************************
REPLY

Thanks Antonia! Yes, I got your email. I will respond soon!

Tina
Melisa
Feb 27 09, 9:12 pm PST

39
Big congratulations for both of you.
I will be married this September too and am planning to have a small wedding. I actually was afraid that I will regret it in the future and feeling “missing out” on a big wedding. But after reading your article, I am convinced that the most important thing is the marriage, not the wedding party. Thank you for sharing your beautiful day.
LBJirel

Feb 28 09, 3:08 am PST

40
Hi Tina,

Tons of congratulations!
Jay
Feb 28 09, 8:40 am PST

41
Again, Congratulations Tina and Jeremy! =)
Arswino

Feb 28 09, 8:48 am PST

42
Hi Tina, congratulation to you both.
I am happy for you.
Steven Armato
Feb 28 09, 5:16 pm PST

43
Tina, congratulations!! It’s so great to hear you got married. When will you be having kids? :-)
Philippa

Mar 01 09, 3:24 am PST

44
Tina, I’m so happy for you and Jeremy – and reading your story of how you spent the years before you met him was kind of like reading about my own experiences. I cannot agree with you more in that the second you take the focus off finding someone to complete you and realising that you are enough on your own, that’s when love tends to find you.

Wishing you both a magical life together :)
Meg

Mar 01 09, 7:00 am PST

45
Hello –
Your post encouraged me to write my post called Epiphany. :) I even linked your blog on it.

Thanks!! Beautiful pictures too by the way!
F. Gao
Mar 01 09, 8:54 am PST

46
Hi Tina,
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! I’m so happy for you!

Also, I just want you to know how much your articles inspire me. It’s extremely easy for me to forget how privileged I actually am. Like most Americans, I take way too many things for granted. I look at the good things in life, and act as if I deserve it; I look at the bad ones, and ask “WHY ME?!?!?!”

Your blog reminds me how good life is, and how simple it all can be. So, thank you for writing. :))
Jeannette

Mar 01 09, 7:17 pm PST

47
Congratulations Tina, Jeremy, Tommy and Blackie :)

Thank you for sharing your love story with all of us. Your experience with Jeremy does indeed sound magical and as you grow together may that magic continue to grow and spread.

I am on my own journey to opening up and inviting my soul mate into my life. It’s a feeling that hit me out of the blue and although I have been single for years now I feel so ready to share my life with someone that the thought of it brings me to tears…happy ones of course :) Since I have said a loud YES to my feelings of finding love the signs are everywhere! Your postings on love and relationships couldn’t have come at a more perfect time and I started reading The Bridge Across Forever. It’s so great to find others who believe in my idea of love and who have found that.

Thank You!
Prakaz

Mar 01 09, 11:53 pm PST

48
wow! congratulations!! I am a loyal reader but usually never drop a comment. But had to come by and wish u all the best for a wonderful life ahead. :-]
lisa
Mar 02 09, 6:15 am PST

49
Congratulations Tina & Jeremy!!

What a nice love story and thank you for sharing it with us.

I wish u guys success as you journey thru another chapter of your life.

(You’re both so lucky to have found each other. . . so happy for you!)
Paul Maurice Martin

Mar 02 09, 8:04 am PST

50
“Love happens when we are least expecting it. Impatiently waiting for it to happen will only lead to disappointment.”

Absolutely. The thing is to live your life and let it happen along the way.

Congratulations –
YeeJen

Mar 02 09, 9:59 am PST

51
Congrats! That’s lovely.
Mark S

Mar 02 09, 4:28 pm PST

52
Congratulations. Such awesome news and it sounds like you have a learned a formula to guarantee success.

I wish I had the wisdom that you have before I got married. My lessons were learned at far greater expense! :-)

You deserve all of the happiness in the world!! Thanks for sharing a little bit of it with the rest of us.
Mona

Mar 02 09, 5:46 pm PST

53
oh my god tina, congratulations!!! you two look so happy (:

wishing you both all the joy and love you want and a lifetime of friendship and laughter.
Mona

Mar 02 09, 6:01 pm PST

54
and thank you for sharing yourself so openly…i also love how you write, your tone is an inspiration to me (:

much love…
Jonathan | EnlightenYourDay.com

Mar 02 09, 11:21 pm PST

55
Beautiful article… A simple peace fell over me while I was reading…
Best wishes…
JN

Mar 03 09, 3:09 am PST

56
Congrat’s Tina !!
Honeymoon in Paris?

JN, the Paris guy ;)
Jared

Mar 03 09, 7:26 am PST

57
Great story. I can attest that until I could learned how to have a healthy relationship with myself, love was just as elusive. I wasn’t aware of what I needed for myself, so how on earth did I expect someone else to provide that for me. I put unreasonable demands upon myself and others. After many failed relationships and struggles with all types of addictions, I hit a bottom, and out of desperation worked on myself and recovery, something I continue to do on a daily basis. Today I can accept the consequences of being myself, I love myself today, so I can recieve love.

All misery derives from the inability to sit in a quiet room alone.
-unknown

Your 1st lesson, “When you love yourself, you will appear more beautiful to the outside world” was crucial in opening my heart to recieve love. From James Allen’s As Man Thinketh, “Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.” I attraced my soul mate, someone who totally accepts me for who I am, because I have done the same. It’s beautiful and perfect.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
Kathryn

Mar 03 09, 5:51 pm PST

58
Congratulations!

You two make such a cute couple.
Charlene
Mar 03 09, 7:10 pm PST

59
Hi, Tina

I started subscribing to your site severl months ago because I like the title “think simple now”, and I enjoy reading your articles very much.

Thank you for sharing your love story and congratulations! Sincerely happy for you.
Frederic
Mar 04 09, 6:04 am PST

60
Reading this article was a great way to start the day.

I can see from the pictures that the two of you are truly and deeply in love with each other. Luminous is the only way that I can describe the two of you.

However, I am now intrigued and would like to know what you both came up with for your vows and what your father managed to concoct for the “uniquely multi-denominational service.”

I understand that it be a little too personal but it would be great if you can share this with us.

Congratulations!
Nadia-Happy Lotus

Mar 05 09, 8:06 am PST

61
Hi Tina,

Congratulations! Marriage is one of the best rides ever. I have been married for 6 years and each day is a new adventure. I think one of the greatest blessings ever is to be married to your best friend.

Thank you for sharing your story. You are right, it happens when you least expect it and that is one reason (among many) that makes it so special. Plus, like you said in another post, no one can love you unless you love yourself first.

I just discovered this blog today. I look forward to reading future posts!

Have a beautiful day!
Dyalalia
Mar 05 09, 6:27 pm PST

62
You both seem so happy. Congratulations and all the best to both of you!
Hamid
Mar 07 09, 6:56 pm PST

63
Congrats for finding true love
Joey Logano

Mar 08 09, 8:51 pm PST

64
Congrats to you both! I hope you guys are having the best time of your lives :)
Norilyn Aspera

Mar 09 09, 8:19 am PST

65
You guys looked like a perfect match, just like the blue sky on the backdrop – perfect! Congratulations and best of luck towards a blissful married life. :)
Paul Morales

Mar 09 09, 10:56 am PST

66
Congrats ;) Things happen when you least expect it.
Q
Mar 09 09, 5:40 pm PST

67
wow – what a lucky dude! :D
Nancy Wylde

Mar 10 09, 12:49 am PST

68
Congratulations Jeremy and Tina! what a beautiful story!!!!! wishing you continued joy and bliss!!!!!!!!
vikram parmar

Mar 10 09, 8:55 pm PST

69
a great great post!thanks a ton for sharing this.So happy for you

hugs and take care
Scott Dinsmore

Mar 11 09, 5:30 pm PST

70
Hi Tina,

Great post. I am loving them and congrats on finding true love. Guess you really took your last article to heart!

Quick question. How do you provide email updates that have your posts html-formatted and looking so good, just like as if you were on your site? I use feedburner but it only sends it in text as an update.
Much appreciated.

You are doing an awesome job.

-Scott
Peter Clemens

Mar 11 09, 7:47 pm PST

71
Congratulations Tina! I’m so happy love found you (I had to stop myself from writing you found love). Btw Kathryn and I did the same thing last year; a simple wedding on the beach with just family. It was perfect :)
ranranaman
Mar 13 09, 9:27 am PST

72
Hi Tina,
Congratulations! Your wedding is wonderful!
All I can tell you is that I love your story. You are leading a fantastic life!
Today, I googled the ID of the boy I like (do you think it is weired? I do so, because the internet is the only thing that connect us now. As he he doesn’t like me till now. So this is the only way I can get more understanding about his life) Then I found about 50 or more pages listed. And on about the 10th page I found the link to this webside of the article about how to deal with guilt (He write some comments below). So this is how I get encountered with you, the fate lead me here. Your romance journey makes me think deeper of what love is. I will love myself and improve myself. And I believe one day love will come when I deserve it.

All in all, thank you, Tina.
Amy Jewell

Mar 14 09, 5:27 am PST

73
Hi Tina,

What a beautiful story! I am engaged and we are doing the same thing with our wedding. It is so freeing to do it that way! I have told others what I am doing and quite a few have said that they wished that they had done the same thing. (They may still be paying off the credit cards ten years later!)

Your blog is wonderful. I’ve read it a few times and I always enjoy your refreshing words.
robolove
Mar 15 09, 11:15 pm PST

74
hi, i found you site via zenhabits. Congratulations on your marriage – you are one cutie pie! I happened to stumble on this post today. #3 of Summary of wedding planing is exactly what I need to read.. as I am getting married this Saturday! Arigatou.
xo, -robolove
Laura Sawatzky
Mar 16 09, 10:09 am PST

75
With tears in my eyes and love in my heart I viewed the beautiful pictures of my handsome son and gorgeous daughter-in-law, regretting that we were unable to be a part of the blessed event, but looking forward to being a part of your life here in Seattle.

Much love to you both,
Mom & Dad Sawatzky
Robert
Mar 18 09, 5:40 am PST

76
Congratulations! It takes a lot of courage to do what you do on this website- to bare your soul and help others see a bit of light, with your own tinge.

Best wishes to you both!

(and please write more! It does not have to be very long – nor perfect).

Oh, btw, I read Eckhardt Tolle , “The Power of Now,” as you have suggested in one of your articles.

Saved my life (okay, I am known for exaggerations – including professing love for you at first click here [btw, that was just a tongue-in-cheek-fleeting-moment]).

I had no idea how important “The power of Now” is to me. In fact, I had the book on my bookshelf for the last two years – and never took the time to read it. TOO BUSY! I am a book collector – more than a book reader!

I just hope that my “regular” perosnality does not kick in permanently, as I try to change myself with Tolleisms.

I just wrote a tough “certification” exam today (I’m already 44 and have very grey hair already!) with Tolle technology – and I have never, ever written an exam in my entire life with such clarity of purpose and presence. (I think I passed – but the result is unimportant as the process is essential. I have dreaded exams all my life – but today, I just accepted it like a housechore. Just get over it, and do something else you like to do. And it has never been like this for me. WOW!).

I Tolle’d because I read you – and was reminded of this life-saving book. The Lord moves in mysterious ways, indeed.

You have made a difference to me – and I hope my life will be forever much more “present” as I place less pressure on myself, and extinguish all those demons of humanity that make us unhappy, and learn to forgive myself – and others – for all in the past.

I sincerely thank you….

Love well, the two of you. Remember, whatever happens, work it out. We [your readers] all want the both of you to be happy – together and forever!!!

Robert
Shun Jian | RichGrad.com

Mar 20 09, 2:44 am PST

77
Hey Tina,

Enjoying your honeymoon?

It’s been such a long time since you updated… Looking forward to a new post soon =)

Cheers,
Shun Jian
RichGrad.com
Michelle C
Mar 22 09, 10:56 am PST

78
Hey Tina!

So great to (unexpectedly) see you at Amazon’s event the other week. I’m still impressed that you picked me out and recognized me in that setting!

A little late in catching up on your website, but I wanted to say congratulations. What a nice story too! Congrats on finding your love, on getting married, and on having the courage to go against the norms and to do what makes most sense to you. I think I’m most impressed by that. I have often thought (more and more so as I attend more and more weddings) that I’d love to have a simple tiny ceremony if/when I get married. Your story inspires me that this idea is not as silly and negative as people may make it out to be!

Cheers, Michelle
Evelyn Lim

Mar 26 09, 5:35 pm PST

79
Somehow or other, I missed this post but I hope it’s not too late to congratulate you!! It’s wonderful that you have found “The One”.

Much blessings to you & Jeremy always!

Evelyn
Chris Mack

Apr 17 09, 6:53 pm PST

80
Hey Tina,

It’s been a while since I’ve been on here – and now I remember why I enjoy this site so much.

Great work, and congratulations to the both of you!
Himanshu
May 03 09, 11:31 am PST

81
HI Tina,
This is the first post i have read from ur site and your honesty about your life truly touched me.

Its very rare to find people who say things that are closest to their heart.

Congratulations on your wedding and all the best for your

Himanshu
Tehseen | RechargeYourMind

May 07 09, 9:05 am PST

82
Belated Congrats Tina :)
Alex @ Happiness in this World

May 19 09, 10:02 am PST

83
Tina,
Congratulations! Just discovered your blog. How well written it is! I happened to have written a post called “Marriage As A Business Proposal” on my own blog you might find interesting and offer it to you as a slightly different way to think about the wonderful state of partnership you’ve recently entered into.

Best,
Alex
Kelli

Jul 23 09, 12:36 pm PST

84
So gorgeous! Congratulations! Beach weddings are the way to go ;)
FriendOfAdam
Sep 17 09, 1:43 pm PST

85
You failed to elaborate on the fact that what was “socially unacceptable” was agreeing to marry someone else, then breaking it off within a week.

Shame on you. Painting yourself as an angel of the heart and soul when you’ve done something far worse than most readers of your blog.

**********************
REPLY By Tina:

You are right, I did break an engagement with my previous relationship. I did not fail to elaborate, but rather I felt that it was a private situation that the other person did not want me to reveal publicly. Thank you for making this publicly known.

When I said yes to the previous engagement, I knew in my heart that it was the wrong thing, it just didn’t feel right. But I was too afraid to do anything about it. I waited a week before coming clean and being honest with Adam.

I did what was right for me. Otherwise, I would have been in a wrong-fitted relationship and would have regretted it, which would eventually lead to a divorce with the previous person. I did the best I could to handle the situation.
Rick
Jan 22 10, 12:30 pm PST

86
One of your commenters mentioned the book As a Man Thinketh, I highly recommend that everyone read this book when they get a chance (it only takes about an hour). If they’re interested, they can go to http://www.thinkingisthelink.com and read it online for free (or listen to it as an audio book).
Lyn
Apr 14 10, 2:15 pm PST

87
Congrats! :D

I have never read a more honest blog in my life…I love how you wanted a simple wedding. I have also seen too many couples get caught up in big weddings. It’s the simple things that make you feel wonderful. Not stressful, show-offy events that only leave you feeling drained. I’m trying to find myself and finally love myself for who I am and I am glad that I magically stumbled upon your blog!

Congrats again,
Lyn
Elsa
Apr 19 11, 5:31 am PST

88
Dear Tina,

Congratulations to you & your husband on your beautiful, romantic wedding! The photos were magical. I’ve discovered your site and love how you express yourself, we feel we are your personal friends by how you describe things. I’ll be returning regularly, even if I view it at work – what is lunch for? ;-)

Well done also on how you handled the person who tried to sabotage the good wishes comments with a negative comment. It is part of the past and private, but you still responded with grace and honesty.

I love how you left your “safe” career to follow your passion, dreams and make every day meaningful. Even your choice of articles, is thought out. Inspirational, motivating and encouraging. I may follow your steps one day ;-)

I’m glad to share right now my happiness is thanks to a wonderful man I met in August last year. Exactly how you describe in your articles on relationships, when we least expect it, it happens :) I’ll share more sometime.

This comment is more about wishing you & Jeremy all the happiness in the world. Wishing you God’s richest blessings of good health, peace and much love & happiness.

Congrats & Best Wishes,
love from South Africa
Elsa xxxx

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John Koetsier - Feb 27 09
Derek Sivers - Apr 10 09
Cassandra Gaisford - Jan 22 10

Think Simple Now. Happiness and Happy Life

Yup, I Got Hitched!

Section 1: The Courtship

My Romance Journey

Serendipity Happens: How We Met

Summary: Lessons on Finding Love

Section 2: The Wedding

Summary: Lessons on Wedding Planning

Parting Words

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