THE DEFINITION OF PARTNERS | FT. SAMANDKELLYSVAN
My Solo Road: S2 Ep 10 | The Definition of Partners | ft. Samandkellysvan
Today I’m talking with one of the most positive and uplifting couples I know, Sam and Kelly! We get into their beautiful love story, how van life has impacted their long-term relationship, what they are manifesting this year, and we even get into some passionate coffee talk and rollerskating!
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
INTRODUCTION
Today we are joined by one of the most positive and uplifting couples I know, Sam & Kelly! They have been such great friends over the past few years and I can’t wait for you to hear all about their journey from being a couple in high school to living in a van with their dog sunny! We get into how van life has impacted their long-term relationship, prioritizing hobbies for joy (whether you’re in a van or not), and what they are manifesting for the future. They are two people that you can’t help but feel good around and it definitely translates in this episode!
HOW THEY STARTED FULL-TIME VAN LIFE
- They have been living in their van for a year and a half. During the pandemic they started watching van life videos and saw Sara & Alex James’ build and decided that they wanted to do it. It was their gateway into a different lifestyle.
- They have mostly been on the west coast since they are both from California and they feel like the west coast is more van life friendly.
- They went to Europe for their honeymoon and then came back to their van and went down to Baja, Mexico where they are currently at.
- Starlink hack: If you are in Mexico, you can get it for half off and the monthly charge is half off as well! You can get it shipped to La Paz or Todos Santos.
- Baja is the most perfect place to live in a van! You can be fully open because they are down for you being there.
- They also like Colorado and Moab, Utah but it always depends on your experience and what happens when you are there.
- I personally love San Diego and spend a lot of time in Ocean Beach which is more chill than the rich areas. I am also getting an AC in my new van that goes underneath so warmer areas will be more comfortable!
THEIR LOVE STORY!
- They met in highschool when they were on the tennis team.
- Sam was smitten by Kelly ever since he saw her and he eventually asked her out on a date, then asked her to be his girlfriend, and then he graduated a year before her.
- He went to San Francisco State and they were long distance for a year. Then Kelly decided on going there because she didn’t like any other schools that she toured. And they have been dating ever since!
HOW THEY GOT ENGAGED
- Sam bought the ring when they were building out the van. He thought they would be done in a couple of weeks but it ended up being 3 months later.
- He didn’t want to propose while they were building and wanted to wait until the first week in the van. He woke up one day and decided to do it.
- They went to a nice look out spot and he kept being sentimental while they were listening to songs on the drive over.
- She had no clue it was going to happen even though she knows Sam super well and they had talked about marriage before.
- They even looked for rings but she didn’t think that he was going to get one. She thought he had no time and then once they moved into the van she looked around but didn’t find it so figured he didn’t have one.
THEIR INTIMATE WEDDING AND UNIQUE HONEYMOON
- They had a 65 person wedding because they wanted it to be intimate.
- Kelly was always nervous about having a wedding and having all eyes on her but they loved it. They felt like they were surrounded by positivity the entire time
- Everyone got along well and they brought out their dog sunny after the ceremony during the cocktail hour
- They did the Camino de Santiago for their honeymoon. Kelly heard about it from someone on TikTok and thought it was a good idea.
- They were walking 8-10 miles a day and it was one of the most unique experiences they have ever done (even though it was difficult.)
- If they were to do it over, they would do the Portuguese trail instead of the Frances trail.
HOW VAN LIFE HAS IMPACTED THEIR RELATIONSHIP
- Even though they have been together for so long, they weren’t with each other 24/7 before. Once you live in a van (that’s also your only vehicle) you run into so many more problems.
- You do get more annoyed with each other and there’s definitely an adjustment period.
- They have grown up together so it might be different for them vs a couple that has only been together for a few years.
- There is constant stress all the time which doesn’t happen in a house. You have to get used to the general stressors.
- But they generally get along great and they can joke around with each other after a fight and bounce back fast!
- They have great communication and Kelly speaks up in the moment.
their future manifestations
- They would like to get a house but it doesn’t seem like the best idea right now but it’s on their manifestation list!
- Their savings may not be where they want it to be but they would rather live the life that they want to right now and they know that it will work out.
- This is the year that they are manifesting, being lucky, and staying positive for the future.
- When you say things that you want, you are claiming that energy. For the last 6 months I have been speaking things in the mirror as if I already have them and I have been feeling so good about it!
popular van life questions
- If they were given a million dollars would they still live on the road? If it were up to Sam he would do 50/50 and Kelly would like to do 75/25.
- They would love to have a permanent residence but not lose the freedom of the van.
- I would love to do something similar. I love what Renee Roaming does where she goes out for a month or two, batches her content, and then edits the videos at home until the next adventure.
- If someone wanted to do van life and should they get a dog as a companion or wait? This depends on your dog’s personality AND yours. Ask yourself questions like are you very active? Do you want to go to national parks? Do you want to do international travel? And then decide from there!
fostering dogs in baja mexico
- They had been fostering a dog named Papaya for a day or two but then she started acting sluggish and they found out she has parvo. So she is in treatment and they are hopefully going to be fostering her again
- They work with Baja Paws Rescue and another place you can donate is always Los Adoptables!
- If you’re going down to Baja, you can always volunteer to walk the dogs because they are always looking for people to help!
- Abigail is also getting adopted! One of Henry’s friends from New York will be adopting her so it will be good to still have her in our lives.
HAVING HOBBIES ON THE ROAD & THEIR FUTURE PLANS
- It’s easy to let joy slip away when you are an adult, that’s why making hobbies a priority is so important. Keeping those creative outlets is key!
- Sam has loved skateboarding since he was 14 and he has always stuck with that hobby.
- The two hobbies that Kelly wanted to get back into were: reading and pottery, and she’s been doing both!
- Their future plans are open right now so I gave them some of my favorite recommendations: Bellingham, Washington & The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Yosemite is beautiful but since you see so much about it online, you kind of expect that’s what it’s going to look like.
SUMMARY
This episode was a reminder to go through life with a lighthearted, positive and uplifting spirit. And to do what you want to do now knowing that you can make your future exactly what you want it to be. Don’t stay stuck in a life that isn’t your favorite to miss out on a dream that you have! Make sure to follow Sam & Kelly’s adventures to see where they go next!
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
