In this series I interview married women of all ages and from all walks of life and ask them real questions about their lives now, after all the glitter and sparkle of their wedding day is over.  You can read more about the other ladies I have interviewed so far by clicking here.

Today I've got Yalanda, a teacher & blogger living in Seoul with her husband (the very talented artist behind This Painted Life). Yalanda blogs over at LaughAnyway, a travel and lifestyle blog which will have you wanting to pack your bags and move over here to Korea instantly. 

I found Yalanda's blog one day via Instagram while searching for images of Seoul. She has an amazing collection of trendy & travel inspired photographs taken all on her adventures all over South Korea.

So grab yourself a cup of tea and get ready to be inspired her story.

x

Q1: PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF (AGE, OF BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR HUSBAND, WHERE DO YOU LIVE, WHAT DO YOU DO & HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED FOR?) 

Hey there! I'm Yalanda. Wife to one, friend to many and lover of all things food! My husband is of the bearded, artsy variety and his name is Jason. He's silly and I'm equally so making us a perfect match! Jason and I are both 30...lies. I'm 31. But I might become one of those women who perpetually turns 29. I haven't decided yet.

We are currently living in Seoul, South Korea teaching English although, we are both originally from the midwest. We met randomly while out with friends, but it turned out that we worked for different schools within the same school district. He's an art teacher and I'm a speech pathologist. We had an amazing 5 years of perfectly synchronized work/vacation schedules that has continued here in Korea. We have never had any excuses not to travel! 

Q2: WHICH DISNEY CHARACTER DO YOU FEEL SUMS YOU UP TO A ‘T’?

I have to buck the system here. I don't think I have a Disney kindred spirit. Although when I asked a Disney loving friend to help me with this one, her description of Merida sounded sort of like how I view life and one of my personal favorite Disney films is 'Alice In Wonderland'. So I'd be an adventurous character to isn't afraid to take the road less traveled.

Q3: HOW DID YOU AND YOUR HUBBY MEET?

After a midnight showing of a movie my friend and I decided we weren't ready to go home. We stopped to have a drink and as soon as we walked in Jason caught my eye. Because he was literally right in front of my face. He smiled a huge smile, said hi and meandered back to his friends. My friend and I spent the next hour or so chatting and if I'm honest, making jokes about Jason and his friends, because they were a big group and being pretty silly. Eventually, he got closer and closer and finally struck up a conversation. We talked for a long time and asked me on a coffee date. The rest is history! Don't let anyone tell you nothing good happens past midnight! 

Q4: WAS YOUR WEDDING EVERYTHING YOU HOPED IT WOULD BE? WOULD YOU GO BACK AND CHANGE ANYTHING? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BRIDES-TO-BE?

This is a tough one. If I'm being honest, there are things I would change. I wish I could be one of those brides who remembered it being everything I dreamed of. But, there are always limitations. Couples have to settle for this or that when XY or Z isn't an option. Sometimes as much as you remind yourself, it's your wedding, there is still an amount of pleasing others you end up feeling obligated to do. And, being a bride is a little nerve wracking! More than anything, I wish I had enjoyed the process more. I was very anxious and stressed, even though I would have been and still am the first person to say, don't let it stress you out!  My advice is, go with your gut! 

Q5: HAS ‘LIFE AFTER THE DRESS’ BEEN AS YOU IMAGINED IT WOULD BE?

No. I didn't think I would think about our relationship differently. But I absolutely do. It's hard to describe, but I couldn't have possibly understood how marriage would feel to me before I got married. 

Q6: WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES MARRIAGE WORK?

Honest communication. Even when things are hard to say. 

Q7: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT YOURSELF SINCE BEING MARRIED?

I've learned that I'm even more stubborn than I ever could have thought, I'm a work in progress. I've learned how important it is to be a good person. This life isn't just mine, it's ours. I've also learned that being an only child has made it nearly impossible for me to share a bathroom nicely! 

Q8: IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR MARRIAGE IN 3 WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Team Ludtke Laughs :)

Q9: DO YOU HAVE ANY PEARLS OF WISDOM YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH MY READERS ABOUT BEING MARRIED? PERHAPS SOMETHING SOME WISE PERSON ONCE TOLD YOU, OR SOMETHING YOU’VE LEARNT THE HARD WAY?

If something was working before you got married, don't stop! 

You can find Yalanda at the following places:

• Website: Laugh Anyway
• Instagram: @yalanda_meshell
• Twitter: @laughanywayblog
• Etsy: This Painted Life 

I hope you have been enjoying this series as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

If you would like to be featured here on the blog, you can drop me an email using the contact form above or leave me a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!