Today we have a guest post from Natasha of the blog Paper Crowns! Natasha's blog has quickly grown to be one of my absolute favorites, and I know you're going to love their story as much as I do! There's also a pretty sweet giveaway going at the bottom, so check it out!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Hi, everyone! I'm Natasha, and I blog over at Paper Crowns. I'm so excited to be guest-posting on Little Chief Honeybee. I've been a fan of Kaelah's for a long time now, and it's been such a treat getting to know her through the blogging community. I'm especially excited to be doing this today because my first wedding anniversary is in two days. In celebration of being married a year and because I'm feeling a little nostalgic, I thought I'd introduce myself by sharing the story of how I met my husband, Kyle, at a time when I had no expectation of finding love.

We met on the other side of the world, in a place that neither of us called home. I was from Toronto, he was from Virginia. We were both 21 and just out of college, and in search of excitement and adventure and something new, we each moved 7,000 miles away, to teach English in Busan, South Korea.

We met very quickly, soon after we both got there, and spent that first summer going on silly adventures and falling in love. Unspoken love, for what turned out to be nine long months. Early on, we found a secluded amphitheater in a little forest by the ocean. We spent countless nights up on the roof, drinking Korean beer and talking about anything and everything until sunrise. We told stories, secrets, laughed for hours about the ridiculous things our students would say and that we'd encounter just in the course of living in Korea. My students screaming like banshees when I would dramatically announce, "There are....twelve minutes left in class!" Cab drivers telling us we were the spitting image of Random American Celebrity X. "Keanu Reeves! Leonardo DiCaprio! Nicolas Cage!" Kyle would constantly hear.

Some nights we would wander if in search of adventure, usually ending up at our favorite Korean karaoke place, the Kenny Rogers Music House. A minivan-sized photo of Kenny Rogers enticed customers into the establishment, which on the inside was decorated like a mall's "Santa's workshop" display, except with a good dozen Pokemon statues. This was Korea, and it was awesome.
And sometimes we would just sit at the amphitheater in silence, watching the squid boats glow like candles off in the sea as the wind lashed the trees in front of us. I remember one night, we got lost in a maze of low-slung clusters of houses down by the shore. We ended up clambering over the roofs, chasing the water as we tried to navigate the dense network of cramped streets and shanty-like houses that seemed to almost tumble down the steep hills that led to the sea. When we finally reached the shore, we just lay down on the sand and fell asleep, we were so exhausted. On another of our nights together not long after, we were at the beach and I lost every electronic device I had to the sea — phone, iPod, camera, gone forever. I didn't even care. I think I knew then that I loved him.

We spent our days teaching at different schools, in different parts of the city. Those little kids were the absolute greatest. I learned pretty much all the Korean I know from them. My most useful words were "sit down!" and "be quiet!" I adored these kids for their hilarious child's logic ("I want a sister because girls have lots of sharpie pens in different colors, and I could steal them.") and their guileless affection. They taught me what it's like to be able to love a child that isn't your own flesh and blood. When I left, I missed some of them so much that it's still hard for me to talk about.

This was my life, from June 2007 to June 2008. It remains my favorite year ever, for a million different reasons. I didn't know if Kyle loved me back. I thought I might leave and never know. He kissed me a month before I left and we spent my last month being together, in every waking moment that we could. I left. Kyle stayed behind to finish his contract, then traveled the world for four months on a trip that he had planned long before we were together. I missed him every single minute. He wrote me a postcard every single day.


Nothing could replace the connection I felt with the students at my first school, but I loved the kids at our new school as well. One of our favorite things to do was to play coy around the kids when they'd ask if we were a couple, and eventually, a major contingent of them became obsessed with ferreting out the truth. I still laugh when I think about two dozen 8-year-olds mobbing us in the lobby, chanting, "LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!" at the top of their lungs.

We stayed for a year and a half this time. We traveled, to Japan, to China, to Thailand, and we squeezed in as many weekend trips around Korea as we could. It crept up on me just how much it felt like home — as much as any place I've ever known. Korea is a country rich with culture and history. It's the smell of the sea and the buzz of a people who never stop moving. It's train rides through the countryside, passing concrete highrise after concrete highrise, which are plopped right in the middle of some of the greenest, most breathtakingly beautiful landscape you'll ever see. The culture is fascinating and at times infuriating. I loved it most of the time and hated it a little bit of the time. It's the only place I've ever gotten homesick for. Sharp, acute homesickness that comes and goes in waves. I think I'll always miss it.

We came back to North America after a total of 2 1/2 years in Korea. Kyle proposed to me two weeks after we got back to Toronto, on his birthday, in the neighborhood I grew up in. He sent me on a scavenger hunt to all the places that had meant something to me. My elementary school, my high school, the local little corner store where I used to spend every bit of allowance, my old house, which I hadn't been back to since my dad sold it while I was in Korea. Kyle was waiting at the end, with a ring and a promise.


We came down to the States and planned a Canadian wedding from afar, while I started the paperwork to become a U.S. resident. We spent ten months bouncing back and forth between the two countries. We got married on a cool, rainy day on a farm in the greenest part of Ontario. The clouds racing across the sky and the rain spraying down in uneven spurts reminded us so much of rainy-season Korea. I had to smile thinking about it, for the hundredth time that day.






Thank you so much for reading and letting me share my love story with you. Sharing my life and reading about the lives of others, and meeting wonderful new people in the process, is what I love most about blogging. Feel free to connect with me at my blog or on Twitter! I'd love to meet you!
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
GIVEAWAY!
Natasha is starting out the new venture of blog design, so she's offering up one lucky winner the redesign of their dreams! If you're not in the market for a full overhaul, but still want some bits and bobs, feel free to enter!


A winner will be drawn next week and announced shortly thereafter! Good luck to everyone who enters! Isn't their story just the sweetest?! xo
Congratulations to Brittany Smith!
Congratulations to Brittany Smith!
I left a little sweet something on her wedding pictures post ;)
ReplyDeleteAaahhh I found her blog through you and it really is amazing!
xo. Nicole
nicole.franson@hotmail.com
abrokebride.blogspot.ca
Oh, I also did everything else. Haha, though I was already following her on Twitter ;)
ReplyDeletexo. Nicole
nicole.franson@hotmail.com
abrokebride.blogspot.ca
What a beautiful post! I'm a big fan of Natasha's lovely blog so count me in for this great prize! My email is theheadlessmannequinblog[at]gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever heard! I'm sobbing a little. And the pictures along with it are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
I commented on her blog(:
-XO Abbigayle Rashae
-trueblueabbi.blogspot.com
loved, loved this story and the pictures. Makes me want to pack up my bags and live in Korea :) I am now following Natasha on twitter and def left a comment!
ReplyDeletewow, that is such a romantic story and such a beautiful wedding. i love natasha's blog and i'm amazed at this giveaway. thank you both for hosting it :)maybe i should start saving up for her to do a blog design!
ReplyDeletesophie
sopholles@gmail.com
princessrhyme.blogspot.com
I hopped over again to Natasha's blog. sharylove@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI follow Natasha on twitter: @sharylove
ReplyDeleteLovely story to read!! Thanks for this link to a new blogger for me to discover.
ReplyDeleteHowever, not entering the contest, so hopefully you can count this comment out!
♥ Rose Eva
Silhouetted
I visited her blog and commented ... looooved reading her story!!!! I would love to win... mattersofmerrymaking@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI visited and commented!!! Mattersofmerrymaking@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI followed natasha on twitter.!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I liked her on facebook.!!!
ReplyDeletei love YOUR blog header, miss kaelah bee!
ReplyDeletecommented on her beautiful blog!
just liked her on fb.
ReplyDeletenow following her on twitter.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all congratulations Natasha and Kyle. I loved your special story. I wish you all the best with your dreams!
ReplyDeleteJuliette
this gal is the cutest in all the land. i left her a comment telling her just so.
ReplyDeletefollowing on bloglovin!
ReplyDeletefollowing on twitter [@oh_hello_lauren]
ReplyDelete'like' her on facebook [lauren hunter]!
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a wonderful, beautifully-told story, thank you Natasha for sharing it. And what gorgeous photos of you two! I think I'll definitely be a reader of yours now, I'm hooked. ;)
ReplyDeleteI follow Natasha's blog!
ReplyDeleteJuliette
details_juliette@hotmail.com
I follow Natasha on Twitter
ReplyDeleteJuliette
details_juliette@hotmail.com
I don't want to enter this giveaway, since I don't have a blog, but I wanted to comment just to say this is one of the sweetest stories I've heard! So beautiful, and so inspiring^^ I wish Natasha and Kyle all the best!:D
ReplyDeleteLove her blog! And her design work! It'd be SO excited if she made over my blog.
ReplyDeleteI follow Paper Crowns on Bloglovin now! For contact: michaela.jaros(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI also follow her on twitter via @MichaelaRae.
ReplyDeleteFinally, I like Paper Crowns on FB! Fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. It's so good it sounds like it could be a movie! I'm glad you are so happy and found someone. I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteI'm following Paper Crowns through blog lovin!
ReplyDeleteI'm also following PC on FB!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story! I'd love the blog redo--it will motivate me to post!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love her story & her photos! I left a comment on her blog :).
ReplyDeletex Hilary
hilary . l . adams @ gmail . com
I left a lovely comment on Natasha's blog! :)
ReplyDeleteFollowing Paper Crowns through bloglovin'.
ReplyDeletex Hilary
hilary . l . adams @ gmail . com
I left a lovely comment on Natasha's blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI followed Natasha on twitter...@TNL634....mommyfortwo@Hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteI "liked" paper crowns on FB.
ReplyDeleteMommyfortwo@Hotmail.com
i had to stop by after reading that, and follow on bloglovin' now too.. contact me via email (again) at:
ReplyDeleteaussie_eka(at)hotmail(dot)com
x
I follow paper crowns on blog lovin !
ReplyDeleteMommyfortwo@Hotmail.com
If this story was a movie I would pay good money to see it!
ReplyDeleteThis story was beyond darling.
ReplyDeleteI left a comment on her precious blog and did all the following as recommended.
My twitter is @bettyloudo
This is really sweet, I left a comment on her wedding post and would love to win!
ReplyDeletesareebrown@yahoo.com
what an amazing story :)
ReplyDeletedefinitely following paper crowns over at bloglovin,
and i left a comment on het latest blog entry :)
xo, cheyenne
I love her blog! Her wedding photos are gorgeous and I left a comment on those, of course!
ReplyDelete-Brittany
smith.d.brittany@gmail.com
I follow with Bloglovin!
ReplyDelete-Brittany
smith.d.brittany@gmail.com
I liked on Facebook!
ReplyDelete-Brittany
smith.d.brittany@gmail.com
Left her a comment!
ReplyDeleteAbby
abby.weimer at gmail dot com
Following her on Bloglovin'!
ReplyDeleteAbby
abby.weimer at gmail dot com
Wow, this story was just absolutely captivating! It really cheered me up and gave me faith in humanity. I've followed Natasha on Twitter and followed her blog (:
ReplyDeleteI've left a comment, and wow, this has to be by far the best giveaway ever! My blog and I would be bouncing off the walls if we won this! How amazing, thank you for the chance! xx
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who just got back from teaching in Korea as well so I love Natasha's story--and her blog! I let her know as well. I need a blog overhaul SOOOOO bad that this would be such an incredibly perfect giveaway to win.
ReplyDeleteAaaaand I liked her on Facebook :)
ReplyDeleteAaaaand I am also now following her on Twitter ;)
ReplyDeleteOh and of course I am following her via BlogLovin. Can you tell I want to win this one? ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet story.
ReplyDeleteI left her a comment on her blog!
e-mail: adrueppel at gmail dot com
-april.
This was beyond beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete-Lindsey
http://ettu-tutu.blogspot.com
I cannot resist her wedding pictures! They're so lovely. And her dress! Swoon! I left a comment on her blog and I'm of course following yours!
ReplyDeletei left my comment. her wedding pictures are amazing. i loved her story i was blown away by the beauty romance and 'realness' of it all. hopevarnedoe@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI left her a sweet little something on her wedding post. Thanks for sharing her blog with us.
ReplyDeletechickenboo79 at gmail dot com
I left a comment, and I would love to win this giveaway! Thanks, Natasha and Kaelah!
ReplyDeleteluxurious (at) gmail (dot) com
I left a comment on her wedding post as well. So many beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Natashas blog! I now have another morning coffee read, yea! What a beautiful love story too..
ReplyDeleteI left a comment on her blog!
Liked on Facebook jadziadance at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteFollowing on twitter jadziadance at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAdded to my Bloglovin feed! Jadziadance at gmail.com
ReplyDeletealready been a follower for some time, but i never got to read the whole story. so amazing!
ReplyDeletex
alina
akeytome.blogspot.com
I can not believe I have never came across Natasha's writing. She has such a beautiful space in the web, along with such inspiring words! I was sure to leave her a comment.
ReplyDelete// xxo. Jazzie //
Contact: JSAdler.Blog@gmail.com
I'm following Paper Crowns on Blog Lovin!
ReplyDelete// Contact: JSAdler.Blog@gmail.com //
I am following Natasha on Twitter!
ReplyDelete// Contact: JSAdler.Blog@gmail.com //
I posted on her first wedding post
ReplyDeletehttp://papercrowns.typepad.com/blog/2012/05/our-wedding-pictures-part-one.html#comment-6a0167600d17d7970b0168eb773f8d970c
Sara (www.calicosun.blogspot.com) (sara.tezel@gmail.com)
I now follow her on twitter.
ReplyDelete@Stezie88
I left her a comment on her wedding pictures part one post- I love her blog!
ReplyDeletecontact (dot) romif (at) gmail (dot) com
I left her a comment! She's great. magpielibrarian @ gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI also followed her on Twitter. WOOT! magpielibrarian at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI love Natasha's blog, she's so incredibly talented. I left a comment for her :)
ReplyDeleteolivemeetshazel@gmail.com
And I already follow papercrowns on bloglovin :) Thank you for sharing such a wonderful blog, Natasha is just the sweetest!
ReplyDeleteolivemeetshazel@gmail.com
I found Natasha's blog recently and I love it, but it's been especially nice reading more of her back story.
ReplyDelete(though I didn't mean to enter the giveaway, so if I get drawn please pick again and let somebody else get a lovely new blog design! I do my own design, but I really loved this post!)
DeleteI actually cried reading this. It's a beautiful story and it's beautifully written. X
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm following Paper Crowns on BlogLovin.
ReplyDeleteI like Paper Crowns on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI'm following Natasha on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! Left a comment on her darling blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd happily followed on bloglovin
ReplyDeleteFollowing her on Facebook, too!
ReplyDeleteOH!! I just left a message for her on the beautiful one year wedded post. What a gorgeous day!! And such a great blog too!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely putting my hand up for the blog design!!
Luvluv,
Sway xxx
loversnotliars.blogspot.com
Such a beautiful wedding! I left a comment :)
ReplyDeletepreciselysteph@aim.com
I follow paper crowns on bloglovin! Natasha's blog is wonderful!
ReplyDeletepreciselysteph@aim.com
I like papercrowns on FB also!!
ReplyDeletepreciselysteph@aim.com
I LOVED this post! I can really relate to much of the things she said, being an expat myself. She is so talented and I LOVE her photography! I left a comment on her blog, and I tried adding Paper Crowns on Facebook, but the page doesn't exist. Your blog is beautiful! I am starting up my health blog soon and I would be so blessed to have a design by her!! xoxoxo Meg Rush
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for introducing me to such a great blog! What a beautiful story! I left a comment, and I shall be leaving many more in the future, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteamy_eg@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you for sharing you amazing story and letting me get a glimpse at such an amazing blog! I teared up reading it and made me smile at this incredible love story. I wrote a comment on her wedding post! Thanks again. :)
ReplyDeleteAriel
prettylittlelayers.blogspot.com
prettylittlelayers@hotmail.com
Her pictures and story is so lovely. I just started following her blog last week and love it. Just left dear Natasha a comment and am so excited about this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
thebebebirds.blogspot.com
thebebebirds@gmail.com
I wrote a comment on her design post - really excited to see all the lovely work she produces!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
email: sparklingwhine@gmail.com
http://fatbudgetbitch.blogspot.com/
This is perfect timing, I'm in desperate need of a redesign! I left her a couple of comments (and reading her blog was such a pleasure!).
ReplyDeleteerinkategoddard@gmail.com
Natasha is such a super cool person :) I loved this story and I love her blog :) she's so genuine and it's honestly been just awesome getting to know her!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just love this post! Natasha, you're such a talented writer...I was so enthralled reading this. You craft words together beautifully! I'll definitely pop over to your blog to start following.
ReplyDeletehttp://atallshipandastar.blogspot.com
Wow this was so beautiful to read! I left her a comment, I love her blog!
ReplyDeleteatmospherelampshades@gmail.com
I sprinkled her blog with just a few comments, she's just so darling. What an amazing story.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading every bit of this story! Made me miss Korea a lot
ReplyDeleteNow THAT's a love story to share with the grandkids :)
ReplyDelete(I left her a comment on her blog. Would love a redesign!)
Natasha's wedding was beautiful! I left her a sweet comment.
ReplyDeleteChelsey
cheltrl@gmail.com
That was absolutely a beautiful story. So thanks for sharing! I went over and told her so. :)
ReplyDeletexo,
Mel
lordknowsilovetodance at gmail dot com
A very sweet story indeed :) I've commented on Natasha's blog, as I always do
ReplyDeleteI follow Natasha on twitter :)
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Bloglovin! x
ReplyDeleteFollowing on Twitter! x
ReplyDeleteLiked on Facebook! x
ReplyDeleteFollowing/commenting on Natasha's blog x
ReplyDeleteI left a comment on Natasha's 'One Year' post!
ReplyDeleteI left a comment on Natasha's 'One Year' Post! -Cherie
ReplyDeleteI like paper crowns on FB -Cherie Y.
ReplyDeleteI love Natasha! She is such a sweet lady. I've been following her blog on Bloglovin' for months!
ReplyDeletexx.
Also, I'm following her on twitter!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I'm following her on twitter!
ReplyDeleteI also left a comment on her most recent blog entry :)
ReplyDeleteMy email address is hello.juliastrawberry@gmail.com
xx.
I left a comment on Natasha's blog. Such a beautiful love story!
ReplyDeleteHer blog is so lovely! Liked her and left comments!
ReplyDeleteSo, so, so precious! I just commented on paper crowns. (:
ReplyDeleteparisiswaiting28@gmail.com
I commented on her lovely blog :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nat
Following Natasha on Twitter...
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nat
Follow her blog via bloglovin
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nat
So, so precious! I left a comment on paper crowns. (:
ReplyDeleteparisiswaiting28@gmail.com
I also followed her on BlogLovin'.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I liked her on facebook.
ReplyDeletethis is such a lovely story. i just wanted to say that!
ReplyDeleteI liked her on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteI love Natasha's blog! I already follow her on google reader.
ReplyDeletewithmycamera @ gmail.com
This love story is amazingly cute. I definitely went and commented on her blog. Her wedding pictures are adorable!
ReplyDeletepetitepanoply@gmail.com
I follow her on bloglovin' too
ReplyDeleteThis story is so touching! I left a comment for her on her wedding photos post!
ReplyDeleteThis story was so touching! I left a comment for her on her wedding photos post!
ReplyDeleteI also followed her on Blog Lovin
ReplyDeleteAnd on Twitter
ReplyDeleteAnd liked her on Facebook!
ReplyDeleteThis story is so touching! I left a comment for her on her wedding photos post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story. Thanks for letting her share. Epic love- brought me to tears! I left her a comment and would love to be entered in this drawing. Thanks!
ReplyDeletewrote on her wall!
ReplyDeleteemilyhavibaker@gmail.com
following papercrowns via bloglovin' AND GCF
ReplyDeletefollowed her via tweet
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story!!! & such a cute blog!
ReplyDeleteI've left a comment and followed her on Bloglovin'. Her story is the cutest thing I have ever read, I can't wait for my Natasha to come along.
ReplyDeleteipsum-observations.blogspot.com
such a great love story, I really need a blog redesign, fingers crossed.
ReplyDeletexphotogurlx@aol.com
I've been following Natasha for a while now, I love her blog!
ReplyDeleteLeft a comment on pretty much all of her wedding posts:)
I follow her on twitter!
ReplyDeleteI also follow her on Pinterest
ReplyDeleteAnd like her facebook page! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow her on blog lovin:)
ReplyDeleteMy email is by.leney@gmail.com
I hope I win!
oh man what a great idea for a giveaway! my email is bloomingleopold@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love her!! I'm now obsessed :)
ReplyDeleteFollowed on twitter <3
ReplyDeleteLiked her FB <3
ReplyDeleteAnd following via blogger and bloglovin <3
ReplyDeleteNice post, I would like to request you to one more post about that Keep it up
ReplyDeleteand thanks for the useful information share to me ...