Throwback to Our Hawaii Honeymoon & How It All Started (Like, My Whole Life Kinda!)

Okay, you guys. I was just looking through some old photos – you know how I get when I go down a memory lane rabbit hole hahah – and I stumbled across these gems from when Tanner and I were newlyweds. And not just any newlyweds, but newlyweds who had just picked up our whole lives and moved to freaking Hawaii! Like, who even were we? I swear, sometimes I look at those pictures of us, so young and kinda clueless but so full of dreams, and it just hits me how much has happened since then. But also, how some things were just *always* meant to be. :,)

It’s wild to think that this chapter, this specific time in our lives, was actually the beginning of so much. Not just our marriage really settling in, but also, in a way, the very start of what you guys know as ‘Lo Beeston’ today. I mean, I didn't know it then, obviously. I was just living my best life, making little videos for fun, and taking pictures of everything beautiful around us. But looking back, it was all building blocks, you know?

The Big Move: Hawaii Bound!

I remember it like it was yesterday. We were just married, and Tanner had this opportunity, and we were like, ‘Hawaii? Um, YES PLEASE!’ It felt like such a huge leap, moving so far from home, from Utah, from everything familiar. But honestly, it also felt so right. We were just so excited to start our life together, and what better place than paradise, right? Ngl, it was a little scary too. New place, new jobs, new everything. But we had each other, and that was all that mattered. We packed up our little lives and just went for it. I think that’s one of the things I love most about Tanner – he’s always up for an adventure, and he always makes me feel brave enough to jump too. I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone else, honestly. He’s my rock, my hype man, my everything. ❤

Wedding Videographer Life & My Secret Hobby

So, during that time, I was working as a full-time wedding videographer. Which, if you think about it, is kinda ironic, right? I was literally capturing other people’s most special days, their love stories, their big beginnings. And while I loved it, I also had this little secret hobby blooming on the side. I just loved making my own little videos, like super casual, just for fun. You know, like little montages of our beach days, or exploring new spots, or just Tanner being Tanner hahah. And then I started taking more and more photos of our adventures. I mean, how could you not in Hawaii? Every corner was a postcard. Every sunset was a masterpiece. And I just wanted to capture it all, to remember every single second of that magic.

I wasn't thinking about 'content creation' or 'building a brand' or anything like that. I was just genuinely enjoying documenting our life. Sharing those little snippets here and there, just because it felt good. It was just me, sharing what I loved, what made me happy, what our life looked like. And that, my friends, is exactly what it still feels like today, just on a much bigger scale. It’s still just me, sharing our life, our family, our adventures. And I love that it’s stayed true to that feeling.

Meeting My Forever Friends (The OG Crew!)

This is probably one of the biggest, most unexpected blessings from our time in Hawaii. When you move somewhere new, especially so far away, you kinda worry about making friends, right? Like, will I find my people? Will I fit in? And then, just like magic, these incredible women came into my life. We met through work, through church, through just being out and about, and it was like we just clicked instantly. We were all in similar stages of life – newly married, figuring things out, craving community. We had beach days, potlucks, late-night talks, and just so many laughs. So many laughs, you guys. We went through so much together during those years. We celebrated each other’s wins, cried through each other’s struggles, and just truly showed up for one another. They became my family away from family.

I didn't know it back then, but these women would become my forever friends. Like, the kind of friends you know you’ll have for life, no matter where you live or what changes. We’ve been through so much together since then – moves, babies, career changes, all the things. And our bond is still so strong. It’s truly one of the greatest gifts from that time. I’m getting a little teary just thinking about it :,) I’m so grateful for them, for their friendship, for their unwavering support. They’re the best. You know who you are, ladies! ILYSM!!

The Seeds of Something Bigger

So, I was making these little videos and taking all these pictures, sharing them on social media just for fun. And I started to notice that people were actually watching them! And commenting! And asking questions! It was so wild to me. I was just being myself, sharing our life, and it resonated with people. I think that’s when the tiny seed of 'maybe this could be something more' was planted. But honestly, it was still just a fun hobby. I was just enjoying the process, enjoying the connection. I wasn't strategizing or planning. I was just… living.

And I think that’s a really important lesson, actually. Sometimes the best things, the biggest opportunities, come from just genuinely following what you love, what brings you joy, without any pressure or expectation. When you’re authentic, when you’re just truly yourself, people can feel that. And that’s what draws them in. It’s not about being perfect or having a master plan. It’s about being real. And I’ve always tried to keep that at the heart of everything I do, even now with millions of you guys following along. It’s still just me, sharing my life, my heart, my family, with my friends. And you guys are my friends. ❤

Reflecting on the Journey

Looking back at those Hawaii days, it’s like seeing the foundation being laid for our whole life. It was where Tanner and I really started to build our life as a married couple, figuring things out, growing together. It was where I found some of my deepest friendships. And it was where the very first sparks of this whole online community began. It’s just so crazy to think about. I mean, who knew that a newlywed couple moving to Hawaii, with me making little videos for fun, would lead to all of this? I certainly didn’t!

It makes me feel so grateful, so incredibly lucky. For Tanner, for our girls, for our family, for my friends, and for all of you guys. It truly feels like a dream sometimes. And it all started with those sunny, salty, beautiful days in Hawaii. So, if you’re ever wondering if a big move, or a new hobby, or just following your heart, is worth it – I’m here to tell you, it absolutely is. You never know where those little steps will lead you. Just trust the process, enjoy the ride, and capture all the beautiful moments along the way. Bc life is short, and it’s meant to be lived, and loved, and shared. :,)