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If you are new here, WELCOME! If you've been with us for a while, welcome back! Here we share real stories, travel tips, and resources to help you dream bigger, explore the world, and discover what's possible while walking the autism journey. We are so happy you are here!

What started with a stranger in an elevator. 31 years later, I'm finally sharing the story.

This week, we are celebrating our wedding anniversary. Thirty-one years full of experiences that have forged a stronger bond. And this month we officially entered the Empty Nesters world! — bittersweet…

A few months ago, at a business conference in Las Vegas, a group of us went to the High Roller after the meetings. While we were at the very top — literally overlooking the entire city — a woman I had just met moved closer to me and sincerely asked:

"How do you keep a good man like that? How do you work on your relationship? What holds you guys together? What's the secret?"

Wow. Those were loaded questions. She looked at me, truly wanting the answers.

Honestly? I don't recall exactly what I told her. But I remember her eyes — teary, full of hope — and the words she said next:

"Keep him. He's a good one."

I looked at my husband… Yes. He is a good one. 💛

It's not uncommon for people at business conferences to ask us about our marriage. In a world where divorce rates are high, meeting a happy couple who has been married a long time and works together in business feels like a rare find.

But here's the truth — it's not that rare. We are surrounded by amazing couples. Our friends, our business community, our neighbors, our church family, and the incredible couples we meet when we travel. Love is something we choose to build.

As I am in full-blown wedding planning with my daughter right now (yes, it's as beautiful and chaotic as it sounds! 🥹), I've been reflecting on what I'd tell her if she asked me for marriage advice.

And I keep coming back to something my friend Flor shared — way better than what I said on that High Roller that night:

Marriage isn't about luck or perfection. It's about showing up — choosing, every single day, to build something together.

The wedding day? It's beautiful. It's meaningful. But it's just one day.

The real work — and the real joy — happens in all the days after. The ordinary mornings. The hard conversations. The quiet choice to keep choosing each other, even when it's not easy.

Thirty-one years later, I can tell you — it was never about the wedding day. It was always about the days after. ✨

After three decades together, I've learned that the best trips — like the best marriages — aren't about perfection. They're about showing up, adapting, and finding beauty in the chaos.

Here are two destinations from our honeymoon that taught me those lessons beautifully:

🌲 Lake Tahoe (via Reno): When Nothing Goes as Planned

Our honeymoon was supposed to be romantic, flawless, and perfectly coordinated.

Instead, it started with our limo driver standing us up at The Westin La Paloma in Tucson. 😅

There we were — freshly married, luggage packed, ready for our flight — and no limo. The sweetest shuttle driver found us panicking and said, "Get in the van, I've got you."

Not only did she rush us to the airport, but she made a detour to drop off my husband's rented wedding shoes at his house. Why? Because he'd forgotten to pack any shoes except the shiny black rentals. Can you imagine traveling in those?! 😂

She saved his feet and saved our flight. We made it just in time.

Then, at the Reno airport — somehow, and we'll never know how — my husband's aunts had hidden rice in our luggage. We discovered this when we opened our suitcase and left a trail of rice across the terminal like a very confused Hansel and Gretel. Mortifying.

By the time we reached Lake Tahoe, we were already learning the first rule of marriage and travel: Roll with it. 💛

We checked into our honeymoon suite with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. We admired the view, thinking the windows were one-way mirrors.

They were not. 😳

Let's just say we quickly figured that out when we went for a walk and could see very clearly into other rooms. Lesson learned.

But the moment that still makes us laugh 31 years later happened in Tahoe!

We stepped into the elevator to head down for breakfast, and a sweet, tiny grandmother got on with us. She looked at us, smiled knowingly, and asked:

"Are you newlyweds?"

How could she tell?! We nodded.

As the elevator descended, she leaned in and asked, "Did anybody tell you the recipe for a honeymoon salad?"

We both shook our heads. "No…?"

With the cutest smile, she said:

"Lettuce alone — without dressing." 🥬

The doors opened. She walked out, leaving us standing there with our jaws on the floor. Then we burst out laughing — Thank you, grandma! 😄

Lake Tahoe didn't give us perfection. It gave us rice trails, transparency fails, missed limos, forgotten shoes, and the best marriage advice we've ever received from a stranger.

And that's what made it unforgettable… AND this is the first time we're sharing these stories publicly!

Today, Lake Tahoe remains one of my top family destination recommendations — stunning natural beauty, activities for every energy level, and space to breathe and just be together.

Sensory-friendly tip: Visit beaches early morning for peaceful, uncrowded experiences. The open mountain trails offer fresh air and room to move at your own pace.

👉 Explore Lake Tahoe Adventures

🌉 San Francisco: The City That Rewards Curiosity

After Lake Tahoe, we headed to San Francisco. We did all the classic tourist things: the bay cruise, riding the iconic cable cars, wandering through Chinatown, and of course, visiting the biggest landmark — the Golden Gate Bridge. 🌁

San Francisco has grown into one of the most autism- and sensory-friendly cities in the U.S. — and I love recommending it to families.

👉 Plan Your San Francisco Trip

💛 The Real Lesson
Both destinations reminded me that the journey matters as much as the destination.

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, planning a family adventure, or just dreaming of your next trip — the best experiences aren't about perfection.

They're about showing up, adapting, and making room for both the plans and the surprises.✨

👉 Explore Lake Tahoe Adventures

👉 Plan Your San Francisco Trip

Weddings are a celebration of love — but for individuals with sensory sensitivities, they can also be overwhelming.

Bright lights. Strong perfumes. Loud music. Unpredictable crowds. Flash photography. Sudden cheering.

For many autistic individuals and those with sensory processing differences, these well-meaning celebration traditions can turn a joyful day into a stressful, even painful experience.

That's why planning a sensory-friendly wedding is a beautiful act of love and inclusion. ✨

Several months ago, I had the profound joy of helping plan a sensory-friendly wedding — and it was one of the most meaningful projects I've ever worked on. Every single detail was approached with intention, care, and deep love.

What I learned: You don't have to sacrifice beauty or celebration to create a sensory-friendly event. You just have to be thoughtful.

Below is a quick-start guide to planning a sensory-friendly wedding (or party!) that honors your loved one's needs while creating a truly beautiful, memorable day.

P.S. — If you've planned (or are planning) a sensory-friendly event, I'd love to hear about it! Reply and share your story. ✨

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, dreaming of a sensory-friendly getaway, or ready to explore destinations that truly work for your family — I'd love to help you plan it.

As a Sensory & Autism-Friendly Travel Designer, I specialize in creating travel experiences that honor your family's unique needs while building beautiful memories together.

Let's start planning your next chapter.

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