…turn and face the strain, ch-ch-changes! You know its stuck in your head now, David Bowie’s Hunky Dory album 1972 (…and no I wasn’t actually alive then but it’s just one of the benefits of having young rocker parents that I know these kinds of things)

Anyways, I hate change hence why it has taking me so long to write this blog. I knew once I did I would have to “change” my blog name, username and domain name and I’d no longer be “jennifersoontobestewart” or able to blog about our upcoming wedding. Instead I would have to blog about the events that have happened cause that’s what you do, you reflect on events, moments, time and feelings that have already happened or might happen or that you plan on happening. The unknown, the scary part and one of the reasons why I hate change. As I re-write the words I hate change it quickly dawns on me that in the last month everything has changed and actually I really don’t hate it at all. So I guess I can rephrase my statement to I hate the idea of change not change itself which is what I think I’ve always really hated all along.

In the last month so much has changed I got married and changed my last name from Carvalho to Stewart (I actually have not changed it legally yet, that process is ridiculous and probably needs to be a whole blog in itself) but regardless of all that paperwork and running around I am indeed a Stewart. The additional ring and tattoo on my finger prove that.

I have a husband. A husband that I look at and love more and more every day (sometimes it feels like every minute) I love him so much and he loves being a husband. After our wedding it was like something changed inside him (he has always been amazing that has been a given) but now he’s a husband and he takes that pretty seriously. Being a husband has brought about a whole new level of who he is and who he wants to be so one of the first changes he made was quitting the Four Seasons.

Shortly after our return home from our life changing honeymoon (those pictures and adventures coming soon to a blog near you) he decided it was time to move on. He has been so successful in such a short amount of time with the Four Seasons so there was no doubt he would have been at the top in no time, but then what? He realized pretty quickly that he didn’t want to be a GM or the Director of Recreation but mostly he realized that he couldn’t stomach the idea of giving up so much of who he is and his life (our life) for that kind of career path. Anyone reading this who has worked for corporate America will read that sentence and have it speak straight to their soul and anyone who hasn’t will probably think my husband is an idiot for quitting such a “good job” either way it doesn’t matter he quit. His last day will be on Tuesday and he’s never been happier. I admire that. I admire him. He is so strong, his dreams are so real, his worries are small and now he is free. Free to do whatever he wants and chase any dream he desires which right now happens to be an opportunity working with his Dad. Of course only time will tell what will come with this new adventure, however he is 100% invested (we are both invested) and excited to see what the future will bring.

And then there is Maui …oh Maui. I love Maui. I love that Colts family is here and mine is only an island away. I love being on vacation every weekend and enjoying the many blessings of this beautiful place. I also love that Colt has such a great opportunity with his Dad here on Maui. What I don’t love is my lack of opportunity here which is and always has been limited. As many of you can guess advertising, marketing, events and PR aren’t the happening career choices of Maui residences which unfortunately happens to be my career of choice, so with all that being said it isn’t any big secret that Colt and I will eventually move to the mainland to buy a house and raise our family.

Ironically last year at this exact time I had a possible opportunity to move us to Vegas (that’s actually the property I applied to when I interviewed with the Hard Rock) and we were ready to go, bags packed, lease up and out the door until they tossed us a curve ball and offered me Maui. Of course everything happens for a reason and this past year wouldn’t have been so wonderful planning a Maui wedding from Vegas so we are so glad we stayed. However exactly one year later the same opportunity has reared it’s head along with San Diego. Both these locations would do wonders for my career especially with such a strong brand and I have always wanted to live in either place. I’d finally be doing what I love to do in a market that can hardly keep up …but…we already took the job on Maui so like everything else in life when it rains it pours. Colt of course told me if I wanted to move that we could (he is pretty awesome like that) but with him just starting with his Dad (one of his dreams) I knew we would have to stay for at least another 6 months to a year. I am not complaining if anything I feel silly even being bummed about it because we are so very blessed with countless opportunity when many don’t even have one, so instead I am chalking it up to what’s meant to be. God’s plans are always bigger than our dreams so I know that there must be a reason (again) to stay, so for now here we are still loving each other like crazy on this little island we like to call paradise.