I’ve struggled with posting here regularly because of the things going on in our life, “wedding” doesn’t seem to be a keyword for it. Strange how that works. Rather than having separate blogs each time something comes up (wedding, honeymoon, school, baby, etc, etc, etc), I’ll shift gears slightly to a more general “about us” version of a blog.

So… If you still care to keep tabs on Heather and my “Goings Ons”, you can do that at a newly created blog!

Head on over to:

http://adventure.codyjbennett.com

(And, if you like, you can subscribe to the posts via your email address too!)

Thanks to everyone for the support in this adventure we call life!

-Cody

We’ve been married for a little over 8 months, and it’s been one heck of a ride. I love being married, but I’ll admit that it’s not for the faint of heart.

There have been times (since June) that have been easy, and times that were tougher, but all in all, I’d say they were great.

For some reason I have been blessed (cursed?) with a very long-ranged perspective towards our relationship. I was just telling someone today that what I most aspire towards is that fifty (50) years from now, Heather and I will be rediculously in love, complete with flirtation and chasing eachother around the house (if you know what I mean). I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and with 50 years of moving in that direction together, I don’t think it’s too hard to achieve.

What it comes down to is something commonly referred to as The Slight Edge – it’s the one and two inches every play that makes the difference over the long haul. It’s the moment-by-moment decisions to take steps in the direction of your goal that brings it to fruition. What’s your goal?

Our aspiration: to be passionately in love, and to have joy in our relationship with one another, and (hopefully) be an example to others of what can be done from less-than-ideal beginnings.

For some reason I felt prompted to comment on our Valentines Day here in the good-ol wedding blog. It was a special day, but special not so much in the arrangements for the day, but in the small moments of being together. Let me back up a little.

I generally am a romantic, but constantly feel little to no confidence in my plans for what might be considered “a big day”. There have been times past where up to the hour before execution, my plans were woefully undeveloped. Nearly EVERY time I’ve ever attempted to do something special, I’ve felt inadequate.

This Valentines Day wasn’t much different. Heather and I had a busy couple of weeks leading into the weekend, and a busy weekend to boot. An evening out with friends on Friday, consulting meetings, the Nutrition Seminar and Wearable Arts on Saturday, and then finally the big V-Day. We had agreed that we’d opt for something low-key in order to not add stressors on top of our already significant weekend, but naturally, as we both care for eachother, that didn’t stop my attempting to create a memorable experience for my wife to let her know that she is loved dearly. So much for stress free.

2-3 weeks prior to the big-day I had one of the thoughtful elements in the bag: a hand-made card complete with the fitting red/pink/white and hearts that any (good?) Valentine would provide. However, it was the setting of how to give it that seemed to be elusive.

2-3 days prior, I had narrowed it down to wanting to make a scrumptious dinner for the two of us, and to have it at home, and to have it be a surprise. That last element is a bit tougher to pull off when you live with someone. You can’t really just say “well, why don’t you come over at __ and we’ll go from there”. I had grand illusions of shopping the day before so she wouldn’t see the ingredients, and then lovingly suggested that she take a nap and read to pass the afternoon, and then, when the time was right, invite her down to a nice candle-lit dinner. Hmmm…

2-3 hours prior something had to give. I eventually explained to Heather the rough framework of my semi-botched plan, and requested her partnership in being entertained in another room while I slaved away at the hot stove. She spent some quality (and productive) time upstairs and I went to work.

After 2′ish hours of cleaning, prepping, making, cooking and placing, I had enacted my vision for the night: a candle lit dinner (with heart-shaped entree), lovely background music by Rob Costlow, and a delish dessert called “Chocolate Puddle Cookies”. Only the Brussle Sprouts and salad were really healthy, but it was oh-so worth it!

But here’s the catch. It wasn’t the dinner, nor the presentation, nor the hustle of getting a table cloth and candles at the last minute, nor the glee on her face at the opening of my inexpensive gift to her. Nor was it her choice to set out some fancy clothes for us to eat dinner in – her in a breathtaking gown or me in my slacks and button-up shirt. And it wasn’t my reading her heart-warming comments she had written me throughout the day in her special gift to me (okay, well, it kinda was that). It really was the special moment where we looked into eachothers eyes and felt a deep connection while we jointly tried to hold back the “eye sweat” because we know that we have something special that will forever become more significant to the both of us.

Thanks for reading.

-cb

What does this have to do with the wedding blog? Well, read on and find out… Below the jump is, in entirety, what I posted for all to read on McNally’s page.

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This last year was a big year for me, and perhaps due to the significance of the event, might I compete with the other “winners” for screw-up’s. There have been some doozeys so far – I consider myself lucky that I had an “out”.

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Early 2009: I’m a highly analytical 28 year old with a girlfriend of two’ish years, but still uncertain of our future together (or more to the point, my capacity to be a husband).

In early April during one memorable conversation I am metaphorically punched in the face with the realization that I desperately love her and that no amount of preparation will accommodate my lack of confidence in the next great adventure: marriage.

My coy and subtle self does some minor probing to get a sense of preferred engagement techniques (what stories has she heard that she likes, etc) so that I can know if I’m to be on my knee in the traditional fashion, or if I needed to rent a biplane and fly the message all over the sky. I found a happy medium: around a group of loved friends (like at someone else’s anniversary party), but yet traditional to an extent (a surprise, me on my knee, etc). Great. Where do I find an environment like that without letting the cat out of the bag?

Suddenly it dawns on me that in 10 days, we would both be heading to Spokane for a conference with several friends & associates, and that typically, there was a group dinner on the last evening of the conference — perfect!

The week before traveling, I’m all over the place trying to find the perfect ring, calling her parents to receive their blessing, consulting with trusted mentors about this massive decision, being dazed at the reality that I’m getting engaged, not to mention preparing for the business aspect of the trip.

As packing commences, I realize that I cannot seem to find my point-and-shoot camera that I frequently take for these functions to record video on-the-fly. Being a photographer and documenter by nature, this was one moment that I didn’t want to miss – wedding kisses can be redone, cake eating can happen any time, but proposing to your one and only wife… there’s no re-do.

Well, the camera doesn’t turn up, and thanks to Spokane’s Huppins Hi-Fi Photo, I was able to buy a replacement (Canon PowerShot SD780 and a 16GB HCSD card) for a fraction of the price of the rock I was about to put on her finger. Heck, this thing even does HD video at 1280×720 with 30fps! Perfect. The stars are aligning and things are coming together!

Sunday, the last day of the conference, I finally get through to her father and receive his blessing (yes, I know I was cutting it close, but he was traveling!!). The conference ends, and after a quick stop by the hotel room to change (and grab the ring) we’re off to dinner.

As we arrive, I enlisted the help of a couple of friends to take pictures & video of the big moment – passing off my camera so they could get some shots and get used to it. Things were going great. Then, the gal that was carrying that ‘spensive new camera informed me that it went dead!

Are you kidding me? I made everything in the world come together, and in my miracle making, I forgot to charge the newly purchased camera battery? Holy useless-drained-batteries batman, are you serious? Alas, there was nothing to be done. I wasn’t about to traipse around to ask for other cameras “just cause”, so I let her know she’d only get a couple shots and to leave it off until then. Then I crossed my fingers.

Fortunately, my saving grace was that I had the first-gen iPhone complete with jailbrokeness. The “l33t h4ck” enabled the phone to take video of the big moment. Another friend was able to capture the whole thing on it’s grainy, lo-res sensor at 15fps. Eureka!

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Who’d have known at the time that we’d opt for a fast engagement: married just 7 weeks later at one of the most amazing wedding and celebration for 200+ friends and family. We still receive comments that our ceremony and subsequent party had been the most “real” and amazing wedding that many had experienced. We’ve been married for 7 months as of today with hundreds and hundreds more to come. I am a blessed man indeed.

On the topic of photography, I’ll brag a little bit more: my wife is absolutely amazing as a willing and capable assistant – who’d have ever thought that my wedding this woman would provide me with someone who can shoot right along side of me during the day and then, with such grace and strength, care for her “main shooter” after we’re back at home and I’m on to post-production? Wow.

-Cody

PS – for those interested in the process I undertook for our engagement/wedding/honeymoon, I’ve chronicled the whole thing for all to see: http://codyjbennett.com/wedding/ — specifically, the engagement video can be seen at http://juneauwedding.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/the-moment/

PPS – Heather, you are the love of my life, and I am truly blessed to be married to you. Through our ups and downs, twists and turns of life, you are the only one that I could ever be with. Thank you for your unending patience, support, encouragement, respect and love. You complete me.

I received something today in my email box that I thought was so worthwhile, that I took the time to make a couple of changes, and then upload and post it anew as a message to to my lovely wife, Heather. It’ll take her a couple days to see it (or at least until morning), I’m sure, but whenever she comes across it, it will be worthwhile.

Heather, when you read this, know that I am more and more in love with you every day. I get so much joy in laughing and smiling with my best friend all the time, and even while we have our challenging times, I am thankful for you in my life. Thank you for blessing me with your life, and your wonderful talents. I love you.

And, the special addition:

needles koa
Star trail investigation
finding route 66 in needles
driving route 66
drag racing event kingman
grand canyon caverns (& rv)
paxton sees an owl
campfire in the desert
star shot, interval style

Needles was basically the start of our route 66 adventure… It was hot, really hot, and it was remarkably challenging (even with the power of the iphone map) to get (and stay) on the Historic Route 66…

Click on the pictures to see their detailed descriptions…

barstow koa
wake early
dig site
-legacy of guy
calico ghost town
-train, ice cream, mine cave, why is it there?
driving
koa swimming
hot
star trail shot

Stayed in Barstow, it was hot… somewhere around 95+ if I recall correctly. They said it was cool for that time of the year. I woke up early and had the chance to do some chores (laundry) and even take a pretty sunrise style photo. The desert is a nicer place in the early morning when things have had a chance to cool off and the sun hasn’t heated things up at all. We got moving and went to see a cool archeological dig site – the guy there had been working the site for some crazy number of years… I think it was in the neighborhood of 60, but that just seems intense, so maybe it was just 40. Even still, I don’t know anyone who has worked in one place for so long anywhere. Yikes. Afterwards, and more in the heat of the day we checked out Calico, a ghost town somewhere near Barstow. I guess in it’s hay-day it had something like 3000 people and so a few buildings were still around. Most of it had been rebuilt and redone to encourage tourists, and it sure seemed like a popular spot considering the 102+ temperature (in the shade, mind you). Very touristy, but still interesting to look at the area and wonder what it might have been like. Oh, and ice-cream is really tasty when you’re hot.

Click on the photos for more detailed descriptions:

Anyhow, here’s the little blurb/list that I had noted before running out of steam. I’m posting it as a future reminder to myself in case I want to come back and recompose stuff. I know it’s a bit tacky, but if you’re reading this, maybe you’re doing it because you care, and you just won’t judge me… right?

playing in the waves
sand dollars
abalone
shopping
Pismo beach to barstow (mohave desert)
95 degrees
swimming

This morning we woke up and immediately dressed for the water. Paxton and I were the first ready so we set out, mostly at sunrise, to see the sights. As it turned out, the actual waters edge was nearly 3/4 of a mile away from our campground. I was a bit surprised after setting my expectations for waking up next to the sea. We made our way out anyways, and Paxton immediately was wet. It was a gorgeous morning and the temperature was nice – somewhere in the mid-60’s… [this is where the post just randomly ended, deal with it]

And, now for the fun part, photos! I didn’t take many in this phase, so you’ll just have to scroll back through the other posts if you’re interested in images. Click on a picture for the more thorough description.

This morning after waking, showering and getting ready to roll, we decided to re-visit good ‘ol General Sherman in the light. It wasn’t as otherworldly to see the giant trees in the daylight, but heck if it was easier to see more details! I went around snapping more photos and doing a heck of a lot of bracketing in hopes that some day I’ll have the interest to put together an HDR image to get all the details possible.

Needless to say, it was a spectacular sight, but with more tourists around, I think I was somewhat jaded. I even found myself taking pictures of tourists doing silly things like leaning over a log and whistling to convince a chipmunk to come out for a picture… On the bright side though, we did get the chance for two bear sightings, which I really appreciate. The first sighting was of a sow and her two cubs who were meandering through the forest below the trail. They didn’t seem to mind that we were there, and, as far as I’m concerned, they were pretty tiny black bears. I’m not sure if the coastal diet is much more robust, but most of the black bears I’ve seen in Juneau would dwarf these guys. The cubs were cute and just what you’d expect to see if your only experience with the bear species is your stuffed teddy at home. The other sighting was of a single bear away from most people, and this time, at first I thought it was a large dog walking along a ridge.

Anyhow, after we got out of the park, we proceeded down several thousand feet of elevation down to San Luis Obispo county. Bill and Sharon have business there, so we stopped by for a hello and a helping hand. The evening was great, and in the end, we decided to sleep near the beach rather than moving down the road right away so the kids could wake up near the beach.

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Click on a photo to see it’s description (more than just the caption!)

This should be the correct batch, but if anyone notices anything amiss, please let me know asap!