We are really broke, broke, broke, broke, broke...

It's no surprise that weddings, showers, engagements, honeymoons are expensive these days and as a non-traditional couple we like to do everything backwards...or not at all.

Take for instance the fact my lovely mother-in-law was the one to [technically] propose to me... haha (Mary you are a catch and Richard is a lucky man).

Tyler and I have decided to forgo a wedding, to us, our relationship is more than just a piece of paper... and really the tax benefits aren't that appealing either. However, that's not to say down the road we don't spontaneously decide to go to City Hall and get hitched (we promise there will be a party when that happens).

So you're probably thinking "Ok then why am I here? What are these crazy millienial kids up to?" Glad you asked... we need a vacation. So badly. We aren't trying to sob story this situation, we haven't been on a trip just the 2 of us since we started dating 5 years ago. We want to go on an intimate trip together to explore California. The trip will start in San Francisco (hello Alcatraz!), from there we will road trip down the coast into LA and then into San Diego.

We started planning this trip and quicky realized, travel...it's too friggin expensive. We thought to cancel, but life is too short to not enjoy the world we live in and since our engagement in April we really haven't celebrated it.

The idea is to ask you, our family and friends, to help us with an engagement present. We have enough "stuff", what we would be forever grateful for is time spent together away from our crazy busy lives doing fun, adventurous, memorable things. This trip would be one of those.

So although there's a wedding date listed, that's not concreate or even happened. Sorry... so what's in it for you if there's no wedding?

1. You're helping us tremendously. We have looked at the overall cost of this trip and it's about $5,000.

3. We would like to send everyone who helps us a few of our trip pictures. You will get your choice of 2 5x7 pictures, 1 8x10 and if you would like we'll throw in the "Ring Reveal" photo by the talented photographer Karen Thomas-Elberson

4. I do watercolours! I will send you either a print or a requested 5x7 of one of my new watercolour pieces. You want a duck, I'll make you a duck...how about one of Bowie... I'll just send you him haha!

5. Tyler would like to propose properly (doesn't make sense because we're not planning a wedding? Who cares!) we may be non-traditional people, but the idea of us professing our love to one another is still something we want to do for each other. This is another great photo opportunity too!

6. Lastly, we'll send a handwritten Thank You card. It really means a lot to us that you are helping us with this, it really means the world to us. It's been a very stressful year for the both of us and to get away and adventure together is just the recharge we need to tackle what's coming next in our lives. So thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!

Everyone will be able to follow our California adventure on our Instagram, we'll post all the pictures we take there and that will be your chance to pick the ones you would like us to send to you as well.

Instagram.com/jennaelberson

Instagram.com/tydupp

Thank you again, even just reading this long message, thank you. Thank you for being part of our lives and our relationship adventures, thank you for helping us grow as a couple and as individuals.

We can't say thank you enough.

Love,

Jenna and Tyler