Cody was living in Colorado and decided to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a chef at a hotel on a remote island in the Caribbean. Sonya was living in Texas teaching yoga and was looking for a change from the busy city life she was leading. They both met on the steps of Tranquilo Cafe one evening on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. Cody used his new island puppy to lure Sonya in. She was done. When Cody went to work, Sonya would take care of his new pup, Baloo, until he was done with his shift. They explored beaches, snorkeled, and practiced yoga together on their little piece of paradise. Soon after, Sonya decided to rescue another island pup expanding their family by one more.

After a year on the island, they decided to return to Sonya's hometown of Dallas, TX with only two backpacks and two island dogs. Cody worked as Executive Sous Chef for a catering company downtown and Sonya went back to teaching yoga at the Dallas Country Club. They enjoyed living within scootering distance to Deep Ellum, Downtown, and Greenville Ave taking advantage of all the breweries and late night food delivery options. On Cinco de Mayo, they expanded their fur family by one more and welcomed Mowgli to the pack! Dallas was a time to get back on their feet after living in Nicaragua. Cody and Sonya knew that they loved the quiet and peace of nature. The seclusion of living on an island had spoiled them and they started planning their next move. They thought of their future family and what they wanted for their hypothetical future children: nature, animals, and community.

These two love birds were so excited when Cody was hired on to work at a resort in Homer, AK. It took nine months of planning and over two weeks of driving with their 3 dogs through negative temps, ice, and snow. They have blocked the two flat tires, two spin outs, and having to be pulled out of a snow bank by a semi from their memory. All that aside, it was the most epic journey they have ever experienced together. The views were never ending and the sights were unforgettable. They arrived in Homer where they immediately were welcomed into the community with open arms and feel so blessed to have found this gem of a place. They bought their first home on 4 acres shortly after arriving and are in love with their little piece of the last frontier. Cody and Sonya enjoy cooking over their fire pit, picking berries off their land, exploring the rivers, taking the dogs to the many beaches, and going on hikes. They can’t wait to share the beauty of their new home with their friends and family when they come up for the wedding!