Our Cross-Country Trip:
Weddings, Real Estate, and Relationship Quizzes
Last week, Jenn and I headed out on a whirlwind adventure that took us across the country—from photographing a beautiful wedding in Lee’s Summit, Missouri to setting up our first investment property in Marion, Illinois, and of course the epic drive back. It was a trip that tested not only our stamina but also brought us closer after spending a total of 82 hours in the truck together.
The Wedding in Lee’s SummitMissouri
The first stop on our journey was Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where we had the privilege of photographing a wedding. I am typically not an early riser so we left rather late on a Friday afternoon. We loaded up the truck with all of our gear, clothes, and appliances for the rental property and began our drive. The drive to Missouri is about 30 hours, which we decided to do without stopping. Along the way I had the privilege of finishing the 3rd book in the ACOTAR series via audio book (needed more spice in my opinion), something Jenn has been bugging me to do for sometime now, and we were able to stop in my hometown of Grain Valley, Missouri where I was able to show Jenn around. (As a little tip, if you ever drive cross country, avoid Nebraska lol it was so boring and there’s nothing to see but corn.) We got into town pretty late on Saturday with just enough time to unload the truck, grab some drinks at the hotel bar, and Doordash some food before the big day the following morning.
The wedding itself was stunning. The wonderful couple was surrounded by their very large family and you could just feel the love coming from everyone who was there. Along with our Boudoir business, I also photograph weddings, incase you were wondering why we were out there for this one, and due to the size of the wedding I needed Jenn to be my second shooter. Despite some nerves she killed it! As a husband-and-wife photography team, there’s something really special about working together but being able to capture a wedding together was definitely a highlight for me.
Next Stop: Marion, Illinois – Our First Investment Property
After wrapping up the wedding and saying goodbye to the happy couple, we set our sights on Illinois. The reason? Our first-ever investment property. It’s something we’ve talked about for years—getting into real estate—but actually seeing the property, that we bought entirely virtually, for the first time was surreal. And while we were there we got to see some of my family that I haven’t seen in years.
We spent several days setting things up, meeting with contractors, and planning out the next steps. Despite the home being remodeled before we took ownership there was still a lot to do; a few inspections, replacing some electrical work, adding smoke detectors, and a major plumbing issue that needed repair. It was a mix of excitement and nervousness, but doing all of it together with Jenn made the entire process easier to handle. We’ve always tackled big decisions together, and this felt like the start of a new chapter for us. It didn’t quite all get completed but we have an amazing property manager that is going to help us out with the finishing touches. After a few hectic days at the property, we headed up to my dad’s for dinner and so we could get a proper nights sleep in an actual bed before heading back home the next day.
I won’t carry on too much about the property, because this could honestly be a post all on its own, but if there ends up being any interest I can always put more info together on how we made all of it happen and the costs of doing it all.
The Long Drive Back: Relationship Quizzes & Deeper Connections
With everything for the property set in motion we were ready to get back home, sleep in our own bed, and see our dog again. Having driven across the country twice in one week, not getting much sleep, and just the overall hustle and bustle of the last week, the fatigue was starting to hit us hard. So we decided to take the trip back slower and opted to get a hotel after 10 hours of driving the first day. The next morning as we settled into the truck for what felt like an endless stretch of road, we decided to do something that is kind of a tradition for us to keep ourselves awake: take relationship quizzes.
It started as something we would do early in our relationship on road trips for fun. We found some fun quizzes online—everything from "How Well Do You Know Your Partner?" to “What’s Your Love Language?” and some other more spicy quizzes that we wont talk about here ;) (Oohhhh Mmyyyy) insert George Takei voice for effect. —and suddenly, we were deep into conversations that had us laughing, reminiscing, and learning new things about each other. Even though we’ve been together for 9 years, those quizzes sparked discussions that made the long hours in the car fly by.
There’s something about being trapped in a car for hours on end that forces you to reconnect. With no distractions, it’s just you, your partner, and the open road. Those quizzes were a playful way to pass the time, but they also reminded us of the importance of always getting to know each other a little better, even after all these years.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, this trip was so much more than just a work trip or a business venture. It was a reminder of how much we can accomplish together. From capturing precious wedding moments to taking the leap into real estate, and even finding ways to keep each other entertained on long drives—every part of the journey was filled with love, laughter, and teamwork.
It’s funny how life throws these experiences at you, and you come out the other side feeling more connected. Whether we’re behind the camera or in the middle of a business deal, we’re always finding ways to grow together—and that’s what makes these adventures so meaningful.
If you have ever been on a crazy adventure please share it with us! We love hearing about the things our friends, family, and clients go do.
