Heather and Bryant Goodman have a lot going on this year: they’re scheduled to visit eight different countries, including Jordan, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines. Together, they’re the creative power couple behind the travel blog Our Good Adventure. (If you don’t already follow Heather on instagram, her travel photography is pretty unreal.) When they’re not traveling the world together getting amazing shots in exotic places, these two call the North Shore of Oahu home. This sun-loving couple is pretty darn cute: he’s addicted to surfing and she has quite possibly the best beach hair we’ve ever seen. We caught up with the Goodmans at their favorite spot on the beach to talk about how they met, married, and created such an adventurous life together. Where ever this it couple goes, from the beach to the desert, their sweet spirits shine through.
photographed by lauren riboldi
How did the two of you first meet? Heather, give us your best “meet cute”:
Heather: We met in college! I was not looking for a boyfriend AT ALL, but we became friends in class after I graded his essay and he invited me out kayaking. We became instant best friends, I was convinced he had stalked me because we were so alike.
Bryant, is that the way it really happened? Any edits?
Bryant: I was in a similar phase where I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, but the first time I saw her across campus, I knew she was something special. And then when she walked into my english class 20 minutes later, all I could do was give an internal fist bump of happiness. I tried to play it cool though and asked her to go on an “adventure” instead of date a few class periods later. After that first “date”, I knew she was the one… and so did my mom. When I got home, she saw my face, and all she said was “Ah, crap. You’re in love aren’t you?”
Where are you both from and how did you end up in Hawaii? What do you love about living here?
Heather: We’re both from Arizona! It’s kind of a long story but basically while we were long distance, we both individually had strong feelings that we were meant to move to Hawaii but we were afraid to tell the other person. Eventually we both came clean and laughed because we had each felt the same thing! We love the simple lifestyle. Material things aren’t important. We love surfing, the ocean, the mountains. It’s the dream for us.
Bryant: First and foremost… the surfing. It has quickly become one of my greatest passions. Other than that, I love daily “earth moments” where I can’t believe I live in such a beautiful place, the good people I have met, and the non-materialistic nature especially found up on the North Shore.
Bryant, what was your first impression of Heather?
Bryant: Woah, this chick is rad.
And when did you know that she was the one?
Bryant: First date, then confirmed after she randomly bought me the Pixies Surfer Rosa vinyl.
And Heather, when did you know Bryant was the right person for you?
Heather: We were riding on a train to the city and snuggled up close. He mentioned something about marrying me and I remember thinking… Wow, yeah. I could actually marry this guy. I had never felt that way before.
So, tell us a little about Our Good Adventure. We don’t know too many husband and wife blogging teams, so that alone is pretty cool! What inspired you to start the blog? How do you each contribute?
Heather: Our Good Adventure is our own little space to share our life and do some good along the way. We really are hoping it will open up opportunities to highlight organizations and people around the world who are making a difference! We also love to share our love of travel and photography. It’s just who we are! I’m definitely more of the face of the project and Bryant is all behind the scenes. He runs the business, does the finance, and is the idea man. We work together really well. We also sell products revolving around photography education: Lightroom presets, online classes, workshops, and even prints!
Bryant: Heather is the one who started it all, and actually does most of the work on it while I study at university. I mostly do the finance behind the business, and then help out at photoshoots once in a while. I love the direction it’s going though, and I can’t wait to put more time into it after I graduate.
Tell us about a particularly memorable trip or date:
Heather: Our trip to Morocco last year was wild! It was totally unexpected. Let’s just say it wasn’t as magical as we had hoped, but the memories are still so hilarious.
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How do you two keep the romance alive in your relationship?
Bryant: Going on adventures and traveling together, that’s where we have grown closest.
Heather: Even if it’s just mini outings around the island. Getting out of the house and just having adventures together makes us feel like we’re dating again.
What’s your go-to show to watch together?
Heather: Parks and Rec!
Bryant: She is convinced I am the equal combination of Ron, Andy and Ben.
Do you have a “song”?
Heather: When we were long distance, Ho Hey by the Lumineers was on the radio. I joked that every time I heard it, it meant he was thinking about me. It sorta stuck!
What’s the hardest thing about being married?
Heather: Making the conscious choice to choose them every single day: choosing them over work, over friends, over anything. To fight for your love. It’s always worth it though!
Bryant: Sometimes she kicks me in her sleep…
Bryant, what’s the best relationship advice you’ve ever been given?
Bryant: “Happy wife, happy life.”
What’s the one thing the two of you disagree about the most often?
Heather: I’d probably spend every last penny on travel if he’d let me! 😉
Bryant: How to cut my hair. Heather, my sister, and my mom all have radically different opinions of how my head should look.
Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?
Heather: Hopefully living on the North Shore with lots of babies!
Bryant: Yeah, living with our little crew of surfing, grom babies on the North Shore.
What do you admire most about your significant other?
Heather: He has a strong faith in God, never mixes up his priorities, and loves his family.
Bryant: I admire her insane creativity and constant desire to improve and help those around her. I also love the fact that she has a passion for cooking and eating healthy. Without her, I would probably eat corndogs for every meal.
For single friends still looking for the one, what advice (if any) would you give on dating in the modern world?
Heather: Don’t stress about it. Work on being the kind of person you’d want to date. Get involved with different passions and improve yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. You’ll attract the right kind of person when you’re no longer needing to feel whole.
Bryant: If you want an awesome girl, you have to get out and do awesome things. You can’t be a lazy bum at home and expect your dream girl to walk through the door and instantly fall in love with you. If you find a girl you like, take her on an adventure instead of a classic movie-dinner date. You’ll learn a lot more about her that way. Worked for me at least.
