Introduction
“If you have someone that you think is The One, don’t just think in your ordinary mind, ‘Okay, let’s make a date, let’s plan this and make a party and get married.’ Take that person and travel around the world. Buy a plane ticket for the two of you to travel all around the world, and go to places that are hard to go to and hard to get out of. And if when you land at JFK and you’re still in love with that person, get married at the airport.” - Bill Murray, May 2014
From Opposite Sides of the World
Kindall’s Story
Getting her start overseas as a child in South America and Asia, it’s no wonder that Kindall has never ceased to seek out all things international. Her pre-collegiate years were attended at an international school where she made friends from all over the world and maintained her Spanish fluency. Kindall developed a love for tennis at the age of 3 in Ecuador, would later play on her university’s tennis team and continues to practice today in Mexico. Kindall studied opera for 13 years and participated in multiple school productions throughout her education. Her true calling however, traveling, was always on her mind and being worked into every aspect of her life. She traveled to Europe frequently with family and friends, volunteered in Ecuador and Australia, studied abroad in England, held internships in Spain and South Korea and landed her first job with Samsung in Seoul, South Korea which ultimately led her to meet the love of her life… Mr. Kong – just kidding!! – Damon.
Damon’s Story
Damon grew up in Florida and attended the University of Florida where he was part of the crew (rowing) and cycling teams. Upon graduation, Damon relocated to Seattle to work for Microsoft, eventually transferring to London where his passion for international travel began. Damon completed his MBA at the University of Cambridge, spending time in Spain and Germany for study and work opportunities. After Europe, Damon moved to South Korea to work for Samsung Electronics where he met Kindall. Following his adventures in Korea, Damon moved back to the US - first to San Francisco, then eventually New York. Damon is the founder and CEO of two award-winning businesses - a strategy consulting firm and a natural products company. Damon’s passion for travel is punctuated by his visits to +70 countries and 6 continents.
Our Relationship
안녕하세요 (“hello” in Korean) - 2013
“Something tells me you speak English”… an unlikely pickup line Damon delivered to Kindall as she ran on a treadmill in a basement gym in Seoul, South Korea. The two lived in Gangnam and were working for Samsung, but at two separate companies (Electronics and C&T). In a city of 25 million, it is rare to pass the same person twice - especially a redhead. Although not romantically involved at the time, this fortuitous introduction would spark a friendship well beyond the streets (and gyms) of Gangnam. After leaving the vibrant and otherworldly country of South Korea, the two relocated back to the US, eventually settling in Chicago (Kindall) and New York City (Damon).
Working for the Weekend - 2016
Kindall and Damon began dating in June 2016, despite a modest “commute” required between their two new US cities. The average flight from Chicago to New York City is 1 hour, 49 minutes, nothing for these two seasoned travelers. For one year they traded weekends and took full advantage of exploring both cities, missing just two weekends apart over the course of the year - a testament to their love and desire to make things work from afar.
The need for “Vitamin T” (tacos, tequila, tamales…) - 2017
Longing to live abroad again, Kindall and Damon began searching for a mutual international location where they could start their expat life together. In June 2017, they relocated to Mexico City, Mexico after Kindall negotiated a successful job transfer. Since, both have loved every moment on the “better” side of the wall.
‘Chingra’ Para Siempre - 2019
Chingra is a portmanteau of two common Spanish words, “Chino” which in Mexico refers to anyone of Asian descent, and “Gringa” a coloquial term for a female foreigner. Combined create the cheesy celebrity name which has come to define their relationship abroad. Damon proposed to Kindall on November 1, 2019 in Merida, Yucatan in true Mexican fashion - with Mariachis and a lot of Luis Miguel ballads.
Travel - ∞
Nothing defines our relationship more than travel. Having been to +50 countries together, travel is truly what motivates, inspires, and fulfills us. We are incredibly fortunate to have encountered people and experiences abroad which have transformed our outlook on life and the world. We hope to never stop, and invite all of you to join us on this journey…
