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We had gone viral!
Which basically to those that don’t understand the terminology means becoming extremely popular in a very short amount of time. Often for something to be considered viral it needs to make its way into everyday non-internet life.
The comments on the articles were mixed, some loved the story, some HATED it and although we were prepared for a mixed response not much can prepare you for some of the opinions stated.
We drove out of town to find somewhere to park for the night, found a gas station with wifi and parked up and got to replying to our emails and digesting the responses to the articles.
I thought I was handling the comments well when this article hit Gawker.
Then I gave in and cried and questioned if we were doing this for the right reasons…I mean I actually asked myself if we are in fact “The worst people in the world EVER”.
I could absolutely understand the comments from people who cannot legally marry in their own state due to choosing a same sex partner and I could understand the upset from some religious groups and I felt I could respond accordingly to those because it is something we also feel strongly about.
We feel that our adventure is broadening horizons with regards to same sex couples. We sadly do not have the voice to legalize love for everyone but if we did we would certainly use it! We are not legally married nor do we feel we need to be to express our love for each other; if only people would read the actual story rather than the trash that people post just to make others angry.
Here’s an example
“just need to say – how nice to be able to go and get legally married anywhere you please. heteroprivilege at its finest.”
As far as religion goes, we do not support one particular ‘God’ but we are open to all religions and are on a learning journey, who knows we might find ‘God’ on the way, we just do not know. But for us to do this trip and to experience all culture and traditions of the act that is marriage we MUST be completely open. We would never force this way of thinking onto others and would never expect to be forced into any way of thinking by others.
The people who world over are thinking of divorce the minute they witness a picture of a wedding are just unhappy and we can’t change that sadly BUT the people who are just haters (like the woman who wrote the Gawker article), they were just nasty and upsetting and made me judge myself!
Here’s an example or two
“It makes me want to punch them in the face”
“I’ve been married 9 years this year, and we have yet to have a “wedding”. Just a judge at a courthouse is all we could do. And it’s all we’ve been able to do. Because we’re f%*@ing poor. And these f*!sticks manage 23–and want more?
Alex? Lisa? Eat a bullet.”
As we drove to our next destination we asked ourselves a lot of questions and answered them accordingly. We talked it out, we laughed at it, I cried at it and got angry about it. I even asked about whether we should carry on with the weddings!
It was a long hard day emotionally and when we finally arrived in Punte Del Este we checked our emails again.
We then looked at the latest comments on the Yahoo article (sadly no longer available) and the dreaded Gawker article and my heart lifted when I saw that so many of our friends had responded to the article in an amazingly supportive and of course sensible manner.
Cue me crying all over again for having made so many awesome friends on this journey that have supported us in making the trip possible at all AND supporting us by responding to people being shitty about what we are doing.
Here’s a few examples
“I’m gonna go out on a limb and assume these two people just wanted to start their journey, this commitment gesture of marriage, with an adventure. They probably hadn’t traveled much. They didn’t have a lot of money. Weren’t sure they ever would. Wanted a family but knew once that ball started rollin it would decrease their chances of world travel, etc. So they had an idea: before life ties them down with roots and responsibilities that are hard to break, why not experience the cultures of the world through marriage- one of the few consistent celeberatory occasions across most, if not all, cultures?
But how would they sustain themselves, much less find money to throw a party? Well. Then they got creative. And that creation snowballed. And it resonated with people. People who wished that they could have the courage to rely on the kindness of strangers. Or have a world wide adventure with their loved ones. And they wanted to support that gesture. Like an offering. Like Karma. And this couple thought, “what can we do for these people? Well, we’ll have a blog. And we’ll give ’em a shout out. And if they have a business then we’ll give that a shout out too. And they can live vicariously through our adventure…”
…. Being a truly happy person is the single greatest gift you could give to your fellow humans…
…And this intention- the desire and having the balls to make it happen- is opening doors for them that they might not have even imagined- perhaps it will even change the path of their lives. It might even go so far as to change them so profoundly that they realize that they actually don’t love each other the way they thought they did. And what wrong with that? Does that make them bad if it’s true? Or insincere? Or opportunists? Hell, we’re all opportunists. Some of us are just not perceptive enough to see when opportunity is-a-bangin our door.
I just think: one life. Kudos for bold ballsy living.”
And this from our dear friends in Ottawa.
“These two are NOT grifters! They are genuine, sweet, down to earth people, who pay their own way! My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting them at a camp ground in Canada, they stayed at our house a week later for a couple days and helped us celebrate Canada day (we invited them). We wish this sweet couple all the best in their journey and so should you.”
These comments made all the awful ones worth it. Although still a little shaken from being hated so far as to be told to eat a bullet or beaten to death with a broom, I was over it.
We know we are doing this for us! we are doing this for the people who want to travel vicariously, who want to see what the world has to offer. People who still believe in true love, romance, adventure and expressing yourself. People who are interested in culture and tradition around the world and people who support us, love us and want us to be happy…and we are! We are truly the happiest we have ever been and no idiot hiding behind a keyboard can change that.
Thanks to those that commented on these articles both positively and negatively, it opened our eyes. Thanks also to everyone who shows their continuous support by commenting on our blog, clicking like now and then on facebook and watching our videos!
And there just are not enough thanks in the world to all of the people we meet and those in the wedding industry who continue to help us spread a little love where we can. You are all incredible people and without you we would just be two bums living in a van driving around the globe in a dodgy old camper van!
I will leave you with my favourite (small minded idiotic) comment, even Peggy has haters!
“Their 2people1cup site is sooooo bad. An example (the first-ish sentence, actually): “For two years we’re going to drive around the globe in our 24 year old camper van ‘Peggy’ exchanging vows in the most unusual and unique wedding locations we can find.”
“Really? You’re going to drive around the globe? Is Peggy the camper van formerly known as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and she’ll sprout wings and fly?”
Point and case!
Boo haters! My only regrets are you didn’t stay longer and I didn’t throw you a wedding!
Haha Thanks Maddie and Omar, and thanks for commenting here and on the gawker article! Our time spent with you guys couldn’t have been better, we enjoyed just hanging out with you guys and you will come to one of our weddings somewhere I know it! Xxxx
Well…that is just plain RUDE! I can’t believe that there are people out there that would go to the point of issuing death threats because they are so jealous of people following their hearts and making their dreams a reality.
Alex and Lisa, life is too short for toxic people…carry on and put these people as far from your mind as possible. Maybe, their presence now is to ensure that you don’t stray too far from the reasons you chose this path, but don’t let them derail your dream. While we have never actually met, I feel I know the type of people you are based on the comments I’ve read on the blog and the TV appearances I’ve seen of the two of you. Your mom’s did good!
Happy travels…you’ve weathered storms worse than these haters.
Terie
Thanks Terie and thanks for the continued support. I am happy I wrote this blog, it was a tough one to write and a tough time to revisit but it was an important learning curve for us. This was the time when we realised really how many awesome people support us and our crazy adventure and how lucky we are to have made so many amazing friends along the way both online and while travelling.
Thanks as always and thanks for the high five for our Mums too!!! 🙂
Wow! Haters will just be haters… I too saw that Yahoo article, and now every single day I check your blog to see what new adventure you two are up to. It makes me jealous you are traveling the world and you are just adding to the list of places I hope to one day visit. I think its amazing (and ballsy) what you guys are doing. I can not imagine traveling the world like you are, for two years, in a 24 year old camper van! Keep it up. I can not wait to hear more about your travels through the US… If you end up on the East Coast I know a wedding photographer in North Carolina.
PS. I love the changes to the website and blog!
Thanks Lindsay its great to hear that people like yourself could still see the positive even with all of the negative going on 🙂 We are so lucky and of course a little crazy for doing this trip but without the support of everyone who comments here and follows our adventure who knows how we would manage!
We have just collected Peggy and are heading up the east coast! Are you in North Carolina?? We have big plans for South Carolina, maybe you could come along??
Thanks also for the comments on the new blog! Its so much better to navigate!!! Xxx
Hi L & A!
Luv it! I hafta admit I’ve been away from the blog for a bit but HAD to check the new layout and in honor of your Halloversary! Luv this article. I hadn’t read all of the hater articles. Life is full of nonsense, I just didn’t bother. But then I missed out on some of the amazing replies, well deserved. But “Chitty ChittyBang Bang?!” Really???!!! Made me LOL.
Thanks for spreadin the love n vicarious travel. Those who know you and as it’s viral now (no, I didn’t know what that meant til now) those who don’t apparently all seem to love and appreciate it.
E
Hahah E, I know Chitty chitty bang bang, is that all you got?? Hahaha we get by with a little help from our friends and with all of your support we can laugh about it too!
Thanks as always! Xx
Hi Lisa & Alex,
Reading this article made me so sad. Sad because I can’t understand why people who don’t know you would be so horrible and narrow minded. Although it’s sometimes easier to say than do, it’s their problem not yours. You guys are so inspirational and we really hope you continue this adventure of yours that you worked hard towards. Maybe a different country (or continent) might be a breath of fresh air for you… 🙂
Thanks Andrea, it was tough to hear it even from complete strangers that we know don’t really have a clue about what we are doing or why and it made me really sad too. But hearing all of the positive from everyone we DO know and HAVE met (and some that we haven’t yet :-)) made us realise that some people are just toxic and it is not our fault. Thanks so much for taking time to comment and we look forward to getting to know you guys more when we get back! xx
Oh this pisses me off big time!!! Do not listen to the haters. You two and your AMAZING AND FANTASTIC journey is just something new they can direct their own anger at. Whatever negative things they say about you is really just a reflection of how they feel about themselves. They are cynical and unhappy people and they don’t even know you!! Do not listen to their hatred and venom they spew. Do not let them even enter your universe. I would venture to say they feel anger about anything positive about someone else because they are sad in their own lives. How does your getting married over again show anything but your true love for each other and your love of adventure. If all those haters told the truth, it would be that they are simply jealous. Listen to us, YOUR FRIENDS, who do know you and only wish you continued love, happiness and adventure. I must say again to all those haters…off with their heads!! LA misses you already!! xoxo
Haha Off with their heads indeed!!! Thanks Sandra, for making us smile, as always! We miss LA too!!! 🙁 x
Lisa and Alex, Bill and I are still with you. We lovehat you are doing and say keep traveling. i think you have opened up many peoples eyes and hearts. we applaud you. On to the next adventure. We will be watching. Be safe and habve fun….
Thanks you guys so much for everything, for the continued support and for the encouragement to enjoy that next adventure! X
Thanks you guys! We think of you often. xx
Hello Lisa & Alex,
I read your story on our local news portal (Lithuania). And I realy got interested in your idea. Realy feeling for you there. Me and my husband got married last year. We planned our wedding in 4 weeks (mostly people do it for more than a year) and had the most wonderfull memory for us to remeber. Reading, that you though to prolong this joy over and over again I feel a little white jealousy and also feel very happy, that there are so adventurous and interesting people in the world, whom are not afraid to go against all the things, that are common and do something new.
I wish you all the same happines all life long and together. And if you ever decide to visit my small country Lithuania (in the middle of Europe), then you should know that we also have very nice wedding traditions :).
Good luck and best of wishes for you!
Virginija and Tadas
Hi Virginija, We will hopefully be coming to Lithuania! Since that article went out we have had many people from your country reach out to us! Hopefully see you there. It is wonderful that you managed to plan your wedding in 4 weeks as we agree it can take a long, long time!!
Dear Lisa and Alex,
Just caught up on this story now! I couldn’t believe the silly nastiness and yes, rudeness and display of disrespect in some of the comments you had to deal with. Ugh! Clearly, out of line and demonstrations of these commenters’ own issues. BUT, they seemed to have brought about a full round of self evaluation for you both which I’m happy to see ended in, it seems, an even closer/deeper bond, determination and mutual joy in the amazing adventure you set out to do and are sharing so generously and purely with all of us riding along with you in spirit in Peggy. So, now forget ’em, carry on and stay focused on taking in your beautiful journey and stay safe. You guys are great, inspiring the world over and we luv ‘ya’s! 😉
Thanks Karena! Lots of love to you and John! xxx