That’s why it was such a kick to meet fellow newlyweds Courtney Dillard and Matt Webber. They were married July 14, the same day as my husband and I. Three and a half months later they’re still on their honeymoon.
“We actually planned our honeymoon before we planned our wedding,” they told me a few weeks ago.
Beach? Paris? Backpacking? None of that was going to do for this adventurous pair. They wanted a honeymoon with a purpose. They didn’t want to just see places. They wanted to see people. “What a wonderful way to see a new place,” Matt said.
And so they set off on a five-month cross-country tour with the sole purpose of having breakfast with strangers along the way. “Is this country really so divided, or are there all sorts of good people along the way?” They wanted to see for themselves.
They’re sharing their journey of meeting and dining with 50 people they’ve never met before. These are on their website, BreakfastWithStrangers.com.
“How do you find strangers?” I wanted to know, realizing it’s a somewhat silly question. They are, after all, all around us.
“Sometimes we post on Craigs’ List before we head into a town. Sometimes we hold up our sign. Sometimes we just ask around, ‘Who is the most interesting person around here?’ ”
The simple invitation to come have breakfast with them has led the honeymooners to John, a rancher in French Glen Ore.; the lieutenant governor of Montana; a saxophone repair expert in Durham, N.C. And, oh yes, that’s how we met. They reached out on Twitter and invited me to breakfast.
Not everyone was thrilled with their idea of this unusual honeymoon. “At first, my mother was convinced authorities would find us in a ditch somewhere,” Courtney smiled. “Now after hearing how many wonderful people we’ve met, my mom’s first question is, ‘Who did you go to breakfast with today? What’s their story?’ ”
“We’ve been moved by how nice people of all walks of life have been,” Matt said. “The kindness of folks to share their stories, to invite us into their homes has been overwhelming.”
“And I’m seeing a common theme among the happiest people we meet,” Courtney chimed in. “That it takes risks in life to be happy. All across America, we keep meeting people who stepped up and said, ‘Yes!’ to going for a dream. It hasn’t worked out for all of them like they liked, but not a single one had a regret.”
“Why does that mean so much to you?” I wanted to know.
“Because I don’t see myself as a risk taker,” she said. “And it’s something I want us to take into our new marriage.”
Courtney and Matt have the ultimate souvenirs to bring back with them to their home in Portland, Ore. Memories. Inspiration. Perspective. And new friends who are now not strangers.
“Must be nice,” some people tell them. “Having a life where you can take off and travel for five months.”
“We’re not special, at all,” Courtney told me. “Sure, we have jobs where we could take a leave of absence. But the truth is, this kind of adventure is as close as the counter of your local diner. Invite a stranger over.”
Breakfast will never be the same.
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