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“Selfish” husband leaves wife behind for first class upgrade on their honeymoon

<p dir="ltr">A woman has shared her frustration over a journey she took with her new husband to their honeymoon destination. </p> <p dir="ltr">The wife’s “selfish” husband was quick to ditch her on their way to Mexico for their honeymoon after he was offered an upgrade to business class. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman took to Reddit to share the story of what began at the airport shortly after their wedding, while also explaining that as a frequent flyer, she had racked up a hefty amount of points. </p> <p dir="ltr">In comparison, her new husband is an anxious flyer, who often relies on her to keep him calm during take off and landing. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When I booked our flights I requested to use my points if an upgrade to business class became available, but made it clear I only wanted this upgrade if two seats became available... and then I basically forgot about it,” the wife explained in a Reddit thread.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then comes the day of our flight. I was so excited for this trip, I checked us in online, all is going well, and then when we go to board, the employee scanning our boarding passes stops us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“She says it seems that my husband was upgraded to business class, but only him and asks if that is okay.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The wife immediately replied, “No, we are on our honeymoon and would like to stay together”, however, her husband interjected, saying, “No it’s fine, I’ll go to business class.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Approximately 500 of her hard earned points went to his upgrade, while she was left alone in economy for the trip. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stunned by his response, she said: “I look at him in complete shock and he tells me that I fly all the time and have been in business class before, but he hasn’t. So he deserves a chance to experience it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I see we are holding up the line, so I feel like I just need to agree and get on the plane.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To say I am p***ed off is an understatement.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After boarding the flight, the woman became overcome with emotion over her new husband’s actions. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Within maybe five to 10 minutes of sitting there, trying to hold back tears because my husband left me alone on our flight during our honeymoon — and use my points for his upgrade no less, he starts to text me saying he feels anxiety over flying.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead of expressing sympathy, she decided to ignore his texts.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I stopped looking at my phone,” the wife said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Just one hour into the flight, her husband began looking for her in economy class.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He comes to the back of the plane to find me, offers me half of his business class breakfast and asks me why I was ignoring him... because he was scared and needed me to tell him it’d be okay since I am such an experienced flyer,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I told him maybe he should have thought about that before leaving me alone before our honeymoon even really began.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“He gets angry, tells me that this may be the only time he gets to fly business class and he was giving me half his breakfast to make up for it so I could at least be supportive of his genuine fear.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When they landed in Mexico, she tried to just “move on and forget” about what her husband did so they could enjoy their honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But he guilt tripped me about not comforting him via text before take off and now I am wondering if I am being unreasonable and should have just let him enjoy his time in business class and assure him it’d be okay?” she wondered.</p> <p dir="ltr">She asked the internet whether she was being the a**hole for not being supportive of her husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many jumped to the wife’s defence, with one suggesting, “Definitely not the a**hole. Tell your husband actions have consequences and since he wanted to be in business class without you, he gets to fly without you. The fact he did this on your honeymoon trip just makes it worse.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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How to put your marriage back in the honeymoon phase

<h3>Encourage your partner to pursue a passion</h3> <div> <p>Research suggests we’re most attracted to our partner when they are in their own element—in other words, when they’re feeling confident and in the flow.</p> <p>That may be when he’s playing his trumpet or coding a new program, or when she’s dancing to flamenco music or painting pictures of historical landscapes.</p> <p>Whatever your individual passions may be, focus on supporting each other to pursue them.</p> <p>“Find where your partner excels and start looking at them fresh through that lens, as if you were strangers, meeting for the first time,” suggests sexual health consultant Celeste Holbrook, PhD.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Purposely spend some time apart</h3> <div> <p>This may sound a little counterintuitive, but not spending every waking second glued to each other’s side is the best thing you can do to create a longing for each other.</p> <p>“This is especially important for couples who spend too much time together,” says Dawn Michael, PhD, clinical sexologist, relationship expert, and author of My Husband Won’t Have Sex With Me.</p> <p>“In relationships where one spouse travels for work every now and then, it’s easier because the nature of your schedules provides some distance to the relationship—the couple longs to see each and develops an appreciation for that person.”</p> <p>If you have similar work schedules and find that you’re always together, go out of your way to see a friend twice a month or plan a short trip with a group of friends to avoid losing that longing of wanting to see each other again.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Show appreciation for your partner at least once every day</h3> <div> <p>When you first started dating, remember how much you appreciated the little things your partner did for you and you did for him? Continue to do this in your relationship as it grows over the years.</p> <p>“At the beginning you’re giddy with love and gratitude, and you’re grateful for your lover and all the little things you do together, the things they say and the places you go together,” says Claudia Six, PhD, sexologist, relationship coach, and author of Erotic Integrity: How to Be True to Yourself Sexually.</p> <p>“Reconnect with that gratitude instead of taking your relationship for granted.”</p> <p>Start the day by telling each other what you’re grateful for, complimenting one another regularly, saying “I love you,” and comment on a new dress or a new haircut.</p> <p>If you want to take the romance up a few notches, start leaving love notes in unexpected places—by the coffee machine, in his underwear drawer, by the door so he sees it as he’s leaving, or on the garbage can for whoever takes out the trash.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Try to do your partner's job</h3> <div> <p>You might never think about what goes into shlepping the recycling to the curb, cleaning the litter box, or paying the bills—because it’s something your partner always takes care of.</p> <p>But if you take over the task even one time, you’ll get a fresh appreciation for your partner’s efforts.</p> <p>Don’t be afraid to take it outside the realm of housework too.</p> <p>Take on the spreadsheets from your CPA wife or help out your husband in his fourth grade classroom.</p> <p>“You will personally experience your partner’s everyday life, which can help you appreciate the little nuances that you don’t often get to see, creating a new version of them for you to be attracted and drawn to,” explains Dr. Holbrook.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Initiate sex more often</h3> <div> <p>In the “honeymoon” stage, sex seemed to happen spontaneously, but in reality you both planned for it.</p> <p>For example, when you were dating, and you knew you would be going to his house on Thursday for game night, you probably shaved your legs in anticipation.</p> <p>And that anticipation was what made things so exciting!</p> <p>“Recreate those feelings by scheduling sex and then building anticipation through flirty communication right up until you hit the sheets,” says Dr. Holbrook.</p> <p>“You’ll be surprised by how getting your mind in the mood long beforehand will boost your libido and take you right back to that ‘honeymoon’ feeling.”</p> </div> <div> <h3>Plan fun, spontaneous date nights</h3> <div> <p>When love is new, date nights are special.</p> <p>But with limited time, kids, the stress of running a household and doing your job, date nights can represent a huge logistical ‘should.’</p> <p>“But it really is important to remember how dates used to be, when you’d dress up for them, look your beloved in the eye, be interested in what they say, and allow them to put a twinkle back in your eye,” says Dr. Six.</p> <p>“Remember what made you fall in love with him and treat the date as a special time.” Go to a concert in the park and bring a picnic basket with wine if that’s allowed.</p> <p>Outdoor concerts are often free and can be a great way to have a nice evening together and just enjoy each other’s company.</p> <p>Or go out to a nice place for dinner and split an appetizer—order a bottle of wine and make the meal last.</p> <p>“Do this as often as your budget allows, but at least once a month if you can save up for it,” recommends Dr. Michael.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Use the power of touch to your advantage</h3> <div> <p>Touching is small way to reconnect and make contact every day.</p> <p>Even just holding hands releases the love hormone oxytocin, which can strengthen empathy and communication between a couple.</p> <p>“Make sure to hold hands, not only when walking down the street, but at home, in the morning when you first wake up, and at the end of the day before going to sleep,” says Dr. Six.</p> <p>“You don’t have to talk. You can just feel the warmth of your lover’s hand in yours and rest in the comfort of it, enjoying the familiarity of your beloved’s skin and energy.”</p> </div> <div> <h3>Surprise each other with gifts for no reason</h3> <div> <p>A single rose, a new pair of socks, or any small gift just because this person is the love of your life is a simple and heartwarming way to stay connected and keep the spark alive.</p> <p>“When your love was new, you did sweet things like this for each other, but then (like most people) you slacked off, got busy and the novelty wore off,” explains Dr. Six.</p> <p>“Reignite the pleasure of seeing the delight in your partner’s eyes as they find their little gifts and receive their appreciation and gratitude for the small things you do, just like at the beginning, when you were wooing each other.”</p> </div> <div> <h3>Check in on a regular basis</h3> <div> <p>Think of it as a state-of-the-union conversation between the two of you about your relationship.</p> <p>It can be as simple as 15 minutes on the couch where you talk about what made you happy, what moved you.</p> <p>“The mundane tasks of daily living can dull the sparkle in a relationship, but if you make an effort to be genuinely interested in your spouse’s state of mind and how they’re feeling about things in their life and in the relationship, it’ll have you both feeling closer to each other,” says Dr. Six.</p> <p>In bed at night or over dinner, ask each other what your favorite part of the day was and why.</p> <p>You might be surprised to learn what is most meaningful to your mate and you may even chuckle at each other’s answers as you reminisce about the day’s events.</p> <p>This way you’re constantly discovering something new about your partner and sharing in their joy, the way you did in the beginning of your relationship.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Recreate your wedding night</h3> <div> <p>Remember how you felt on your wedding night and recreate that feeling in your lovemaking—that happy, open-hearted bliss.</p> <p>“There’s nothing like wedding night lovemaking, so try and bring it back by conjuring the expanded feeling you had, the immeasurable joy of being received by your spouse and fully receiving them in turn,” says Dr. Six.</p> <p>No flannel that night—better yet, wear what you wore on your wedding night.</p> <p>You know you have that outfit tucked away somewhere, so go ahead and wear it again (if it still fits).</p> <p>You’ll be amazed at how moving it can be as the memories resurface from that day.</p> </div> <div> <h3>Book a vacation (or staycation)</h3> <p>Create a responsibility-free zone by getting away from your house and your normal life, even for just a few days or overnight. Even an inexpensive hotel or Airbnb in your hometown can be enough to relieve your brain of all the concerns of home. “Responsibility is the biggest killer of arousal, so if you can physically remove yourself from those reminders, you can have a care-free honeymoon feeling even decades into your relationship,” says Dr. Holbrook. Doing something out of the ordinary together can bring out many of those new feelings of desire. While you’re at it, agree to unplug electronic devices to help recreate the timelessness and lack of obligations of a honeymoon.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/news-articles/how-to-put-your-marriage-back-in-the-honeymoon-phase" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest.</a></strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Relationships

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Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway hits the market

<p dir="ltr">The sprawling mansion that served as the hideaway for Elvis and Priscilla Presley has hit the market for just $US 5.65 million ($NZ 10 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">The Presleys called the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Palm Springs, California, home for the first few days of their marriage, renting out the mansion for $US 21,000 in 1967.</p> <p dir="ltr">Although he initially planned to use the home as the location of his wedding, he and Priscilla decided to tie the knot in Vegas instead after the media found out about his plans.</p> <p dir="ltr">Complete with a spa, pool, multiple private terraces and spectacular mountain views, the Presleys spent four days honeymooning at the mansion, before Elvis had to leave for filming.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hosting music icons isn’t the only claim to fame the mansion has though.</p> <p dir="ltr">The house, designed by William Krisel in 1960, came with a futuristic design and modern amenities - including vacuum ports, an indoor kitchen grill, and wall-mounted radios - that made it ahead of its time and earned it the nickname ‘The House of Tomorrow’ in 1962 by Look Magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">In more recent years, the house has been branded as Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway and open to the public for tours.</p> <p dir="ltr">Given its design features, it’s certainly a house you wouldn’t want to miss seeing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Highlights include its spaceship-like winged roof, the stepped waterfall located at the centre of the house, carved-wood double-height entry doors, and a circular theme throughout.</p> <p dir="ltr">The living room area boasts stacked stone walls, built-in seating, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a “futuristic steel beaker-shaped fireplace hood and floating hearth”, according to the <a href="https://www.compass.com/listing/1350-ladera-circle-palm-springs-ca-92262/1149386563352880433/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dining room area overlooks the living room from a raised platform and opens out to a terrace and the pool, while the kitchen boasts top-notch appliances and a circular centre island.</p> <p dir="ltr">Each of the bedrooms comes with an ensuite, with two also featuring sprawling terraces and the main bedroom accessed via a grand staircase.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home has been renovated in recent years, with many of its original architectural details being restored.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e619f1ec-7fff-8fd9-841a-f6f90b508c46"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Compass / Getty Images</em></p>

Real Estate

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Adorable honeymoon photos of Ash Barty and husband Garry Kissick

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty’s husband Garry Kissick has shared beautiful images from the pair’s honeymoon after they secretly wed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple, who have been together for seven years, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/game-set-and-match-ash-barty-ties-the-knot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tied the knot </a>in an intimate wedding in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">The newlyweds then jetsetted to Queenstown, New Zealand with husband Garry sharing heartwarming images together as they celebrated love.</p> <p dir="ltr">Several of the images showed Ash and Garry posing for the camera in standalone photos or when they’re hugging.</p> <p dir="ltr">They shared stunning photos of the immaculate views they are being treated to in Queenstown as they enjoy the snow, the waterside, long drives, and of course some golf courses.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgyysgahjFw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgyysgahjFw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Garry Kissick (@gazlfc90)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Ash, 26, and Garry, 29, announced their engagement in November 2021 and the professional tennis player was unsure of whether or not she should share the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">So when the pair married in a secret wedding, Ash shared an image wearing the wedding dress and Garry in a suit with the simple caption, “Husband &amp; Wife”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash was also vocal about having an intimate wedding with close family and friends with details of the special day yet to be revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it is believed that Ash’s incredible wedding dress was designed by Suzanne Harward, who has been creating wedding dresses since 1975.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dress sits around the $10,000 price.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their wedding comes just a few short months after Barty shocked the tennis world by <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her retirement</a>.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgodNphhRB6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgodNphhRB6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I will be retiring from tennis. It’s the first time I’ve actually said that out loud and it’s hard to say,” she said in an Instagram video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m so happy and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams. And put the racquets down.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Since her retirement, the former World No.1 has released <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/books/ash-barty-s-books-released" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a series of children’s books</a> titled, Little Ash.</p> <p dir="ltr">Click below to see the heartwarming images from Ash and Garry’s honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Loved ones remember newlywed bride who died on her honeymoon in moving funeral service

<p>Family and friends have gathered to commemorate the “kind-hearted spirit” and “unconditional love” of the newlywed bride who tragically died in a golf buggy accident on her honeymoon in an emotional funeral service</p> <p>Marina Morgan, 29, had only been married to husband Robbie Morgan for 10 days when she died in a freak accident on the couples honeymoon in Hamilton Island.</p> <p>At 9 am on Saturday the 2nd of July, hundreds of friends and family filled St Mary & St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox Church in Rhodes – the same place Marina and Robbie were married.</p> <p>A funeral notice posted to the church’s Facebook page in Arabic and English referred to her as the “bride of heaven”.</p> <p>Several men, including her husband, carried her coffin into the building and onto the altar, where a photo of Marina on her wedding day was placed on top of the casket.</p> <p>After prayers filled the church, friends and family shared their memories of Marina’s life.</p> <p>Marina’s brother, Mark Hanna, described his sister as a “sweet, young, independent woman who was loved by everyone.”</p> <p>“She was beautiful inside and out, loved to laugh, and always had a positive outlook on life.”</p> <p>In his emotional eulogy, Mr Hanna described the strong bond he shared with his sister.</p> <p>“I've lost someone who I shared so many things … we always shared with each other our hidden fears, and now it feels as though I’ve lost a part of myself, leaving a wound that stretches from the middle of my ribcage to the bottom of my gut,” he said.</p> <p>“It’s very difficult to accept that our gorgeous Marina is no longer here with us.</p> <p>“I will do my best to not let this scar be the death of me,” he promised as he broke down in tears.</p> <p>“Mum, dad, husband Robbie, me, your extended families, cousins, uncles, aunts, friends and everyone who knew you will never forget you.”</p> <p>While Mr Morgan did not stand to speak during the funeral, he briefly spoke to media after.</p> <p>“I can’t explain the sadness in my heart, my wife was loved by so many,” Mr Morgan said told reporters after the funeral.</p> <p>Cousin Miriam remembered her “partner in crime” who lived her life “fearlessly” and vowed to do the same.</p> <p>In a bespoke poem, Miriam also described how Marina fulfilled her life’s goal of getting married, filling her family with pride.</p> <p>“We never thought that day would be your last,” she recited.<br />“To marry her soulmate Robbie and to be a bride, while always filling her family with so much love and so much pride</p> <p>While Mr Morgan did not get up to speak, the priest told the church how he had recalled the couple’s last few days together.</p> <p>“Please see this as a celebration. She is in a better place now alongside God and his angels.”</p> <p>Mrs Morgan’s casket was carried outside and placed into the back of a hearse, before it was driven to Rookwood Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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Heartbroken husband speaks after honeymoon tragedy

<p>Grief stricken and heart-broken, the husband of Marina Morgan has shared an emotional tribute following the death of his new wife.</p> <p>Robbie Morgan was driving the buggy last Monday the 20th of June, when he and his wife of 10 days were involved in the tragic incident.</p> <p>Robbie is believed to have been performing a U-turn when it tipped over, resulting in Marina suffering fatal injuries.</p> <p>The 30-year-old Sydney man took to Facebook over the weekend to share a touching post in memory of his wife.</p> <p>“My heart is broken and my world shattered with the tragic loss of the most beautiful girl in the world.. my angel.. my saint.. my wife Marina Hanna,” he said..</p> <p>“My rock, my partner, my confidant, my angel, my saint, my everything! The world will never be the same…</p> <p>“I will love you forever and ever and EVER!”</p> <p>Meanwhile, Marina’s family have also shared their heartache following the tragic loss.</p> <p>“I will always love you sis. You will always be our angel. We miss you and are shattered,” her brother Mark Hanna posted on Facebook.</p> <p>Her brother-in-law Matthew Morgan paid tribute to the new wife of his brother Robbie Morgan.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfGU9NDJSlJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfGU9NDJSlJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Matty Morgan (@matty.morgan1)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“May your soul rest in paradise for all of eternity as you watch over us in the heavens above. I love you forever sis.”</p> <p>On Wednesday the 22nd of June, Hamilton Island resort operators issued a fresh statement, saying guests were encouraged to safely use golf buggies.</p> <p>“A number of different registered vehicle types including golf buggies operate to service the Island, all in accordance with Queensland Government road rules and requirements,” they said in a statement.</p> <p>“These are underpinned by our highest priority which is the safety and well-being of our guests, residents and staff.</p> <p>“Golf buggies on Hamilton Island, like other vehicles, are equipped with appropriate safety equipment including seatbelts and rules for operation.</p> <p>“Hamilton Island and Queensland Police enforce these rules and regulations and actively encourage all our guests, residents and staff to adopt a safety-first mindset when operating any vehicle on Hamilton Island."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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"Only the good die young": Tragic twist in honeymoon death

<p dir="ltr">The newlywed bride who died in a tragic golf buggy incident on Hamilton Island was due to get married last year but instead it was delayed because of Covid. </p> <p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna, 29, and husband Robbie Morgan were due to get married on July 24, 2021 but because of lockdown and density limits they decided to delay their ceremony. </p> <p dir="ltr">But it wasn't until June 11, 2022, that the loved-up pair were finally able to say their vows in a lavish ceremony at Sydney’s Doltone House.</p> <p dir="ltr">The newlyweds then finally made their way to Queensland’s Hamilton Island for their honeymoon. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were travelling on a golf buggy - the main form of transportation on the island on June 20 when Morgan did a U-turn, causing the buggy to tip over.</p> <p dir="ltr">A doctor, off-duty dentist and off-duty firefighter rushed to the scene and desperately performed CPR for 35 minutes on Marina, who unfortunately could not be revived.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(This) is proof that the good die young,” Robbie’s brother Matty said of Marina’s passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland Police Inspector Anthony Cowan announced in a press conference that Marina was not wearing a seatbelt while in the buggy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was just a tragic accident with a golf buggy,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There may have been some inexperience driving those type of vehicles while turning it has rolled on its side and the woman has fallen out and sustained life-threatening injuries.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It just appears inexperience in driving that type of vehicle, turned too quick and rolled on its side and unfortunately, it has ended up with this result.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It appears there was no seatbelt worn at this point in time; we come back to the Fatal Five but now is not the time to dwell on what they should have done.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Inspector Cowan confirmed that no drugs, alcohol or dangerous driving caused the accident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Update to tragic honeymoon death on Hamilton Island

<p dir="ltr">A newlywed woman has died in a horrific golf buggy crash on Hamilton Island while on her honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna, 29, and husband Robbie Morgan married in a lavish wedding in Sydney’s Doltone House on June 11.</p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple then jetsetted to Queensland’s Hamilton Island to celebrate their honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were travelling on a buggy between holes on a golf course on Monday when Morgan did a U-turn, causing the buggy to tip over.</p> <p dir="ltr">A doctor, off-duty dentist and off-duty firefighter rushed to the scene and desperately performed CPR for 35 minutes on Marina, who unfortunately could not be revived.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland Police Inspector Anthony Cowan announced in a press conference that Marina was not wearing a seatbelt while in the buggy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was just a tragic accident with a golf buggy,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There may have been some inexperience driving those type of vehicles while turning it has rolled on its side and the woman has fallen out and sustained life-threatening injuries.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It just appears inexperience in driving that type of vehicle, turned too quick and rolled on its side and unfortunately, it has ended up with this result.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It appears there was no seatbelt worn at this point in time; we come back to the Fatal Five but now is not the time to dwell on what they should have done.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Inspector Cowan confirmed that no drugs, alcohol or dangerous driving caused the accident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

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Young woman stuns in 91-year-old grandma's honeymoon clothes

<p>A woman on TikTok has gone viral for giving her grandmother's clothes new life, 70 years after they were stashed away.</p> <p>Maddy Bill, 27, found a suitcase that was full of her grandmother's clothes that she wore on her honeymoon in 1952, and hadn't seen the light of day since.</p> <p>In a now-viral video on the social media platform, Maddy tried on all of the clothes and showcased the striking likeness to her grandmother, 70 years on.</p> <p>"My grandmother kept all her honeymoon clothes in this suitcase to this day. Opening it up 70 years later," she wrote in the clip, which has been viewed more than six million times.</p> <p>Maddy showed herself in the clothes, alongside pictures of her grandmother, who is now 91, wearing them on her honeymoon to New York City.</p> <p>The suitcase full of clothes had been handed down to Maddy's mother, as the pair decided to reminisce together and find out what was inside.</p> <p>"When my mom and I opened it up, it was like all the photographs I saw of my grandma growing up came to life," Maddy gushed.</p> <p>'It was remarkable because I felt like we were bringing the past to life. Everything is honestly in pretty amazing condition."</p> <p>The first thing she tried on was a black, button-down dress, which her grandma Marie had worn out to dinner during the honeymoon.</p> <p>"I can't even describe the feeling of putting it on for the first time and having it fit perfectly."</p> <p>When Marie saw her granddaughter in it, she was flooded with nostalgia and memories from her trip, making it feel like she was back on her honeymoon.</p> <p>"I wish I was young again and could do it all over,' gushed Marie. "Seeing the dress fit her as perfectly as it fit me was like jumping back in time."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Couple on “world’s longest honeymoon” share their story

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After their dream wedding in 2011, Mike and Anne Howard made the radical decision to quit their jobs and leave their life in New York behind for the ultimate honeymoon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their plan was to see the world and now, over a decade on, the couple are still on the road visiting every corner of the globe. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Documenting their travels on their </span><a href="https://www.honeytrek.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">blog</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has become a way of life, as they use it to keep their family and friends updated while on the world’s longest honeymoon. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As their HoneyTrek brand began as a way to stay connected to loved ones back home, they have turned it into a career as travel bloggers, book authors and travel photographers. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, despite sharing their idyllic life with their online following, Mike and Anne have assured </span><a href="https://7news.com.au/travel/married-couple-mike-and-anne-howard-on-worlds-longest-honeymoon-tell-of-most-challenging-moments--c-5362530"><span style="font-weight: 400;">7Lifestyle</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that their journey is not always sunshine and roses. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTpeQkYLJUe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTpeQkYLJUe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Mike &amp; Anne - HoneyTrek.com (@honeytrek)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They were hit hard with the realities of travelling with Covid, as the pandemic worked its way into every corner of the world. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the pandemic was in the early stages, the couple were heading to Italy, right as the country declared a Covid emergency in March 2020.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It hadn’t really sunk in what was going on,” Mike said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple decided to travel to Poland, thinking coronavirus was just “an Italy thing”, but were met with the hard reality of global travel restrictions once they arrived. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After three months of being stuck in Poland, they were finally able to return to the United States. </span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9927pBHJyb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9927pBHJyb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Mike &amp; Anne - HoneyTrek.com (@honeytrek)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As well as dealing with the struggles of Covid, the couple have come up with their own way to not be constantly living in each other's pockets. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s good to have a few things that are your own, you know I like to take more walks than he does and he likes to have more podcasts than I do,” Anne explains.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We have a few things which are ‘your thing’, and we prioritise maintaining friendships outside the relationship.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We also love to meet new people and so we have a pretty global friend circle at this point, so it’s not as isolating as you may think,” she says.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Instagram @honeytrek</span></em></p>

Travel Tips

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Honeymooners fined for unusual reason

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Louisiana tourists who were honeymooning in Hawaii have been investigated and fined by US authorities after a video emerged on social media showing them doing something unusual.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The clip showed a woman touching an endangered Hawaiian monk seal and running away after the seal raised its head and snapped at her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple were “deeply sorry”, according to a man identified as Stephen who spoke to the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Honolulu Star-Advertiser</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We love Hawaii and the culture. We didn’t mean to offend anyone,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Under state and federal laws in the United States, it is a felony to touch or harass a Hawaiian monk seal.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Penalties include up to five years in prison and a US $50,000 (AUD $67,000) fine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are an estimated 1100 Hawaiian monk seals in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and another 300 on the main islands.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The <em>Associated Press</em> weren’t able to reach the couple, but reported that authorities from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contacted the pair.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dominic Andrews, a spokesperson for NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement, said an investigation was underway.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Tiktok</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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The shocking reality about Charles and Diana’s honeymoon

<p><strong>They honeymooned on board the royal yacht Britannia</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s “wedding of the century” at St Paul’s Cathedral in July 1981, the royal pair set off for Gibraltar on Spain’s south coast, where they boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia. The yacht cruised around the Mediterranean, including the Greek islands, for 14 days. The couple ended their getaway at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. It was a luxurious itinerary – but what really went down during those first few days of the couple’s doomed marriage? Turns out, a lot more drama than you might think.</span></p> <p><strong>Diana was still reeling over this engagement comment</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While most people head out on their honeymoon with the impression that their partner is totally in love with them, Diana wasn’t so sure. Her insecurity stemmed from an awkward interview at the time of her and Charles’ engagement. “We had this ghastly interview the day we announced our engagement,” she told her speech coach on a tape that was later used for the Channel 4 documentary </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Diana: In Her Own Words</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “And this ridiculous [news] man said, ‘Are you in love?’ “I thought, what a thick question. So I said, ‘Yes, of course, we are,’ and Charles turned round and said, ‘Whatever love means.’ And that threw me completely. I thought, what a strange answer. It traumatised me.”</span></p> <p><strong>Charles called Camilla every chance he got</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although Charles’ former flame Camilla Parker Bowles had already been married to her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, for eight years, Charles still found a way to call her from the Mediterranean. “The Prince simply had to be in constant contact with Camilla or he couldn’t function properly,” his valet Stephen Barry said in the book </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Diana Chronicles</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “If he went without his daily phone call, he would become tetchy and ill-tempered.”</span></p> <p><strong>The pair didn’t enjoy their first night together</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That first night was nothing special,” Charles told a friend, according to Tina Brown’s The Diana Chronicles. “It was pleasant enough, of course. But she really was painfully naive.” According to Brown, “Charles had enjoyed women who led him, mastered him, and mothered him. He was used to being served, not required to seduce.”</span></p> <p><strong>Charles wore a gift from Camilla on the honeymoon</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As if calling Camilla wasn’t bad enough, Charles also received a gift from her. “On our honeymoon, cufflinks arrive on his wrists,” Diana said on the Channel 4 tapes. “Two C’s entwined like the Chanel ‘C’. Got it. One knew exactly. So I said, ‘Camilla gave you those, didn’t she?’ He said ‘Yes, so what’s wrong? They’re a present from a friend.’ And boy, did we have a row. Jealousy, total jealousy. And it was such a good idea – the two ‘C’s – but it wasn’t that clever.”</span></p> <p><strong>The couple’s incompatibility became extremely apparent</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 12-year age gap had always been known, but never was it more apparent than aboard the Brittania. The 32-year-old prince envisioned spending his honeymoon sunning, swimming, reading, painting, and writing thank-you letters. “He’d taken along his watercolours, some canvases and a pile of books by the Afrikaner mystic and writer Laurens van der Post, which he’d hoped he and Diana might share and then discuss in the evenings,” wrote Penny Junor in her book </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Duchess</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>.</em> “Diana, however, was no great reader. She hated his wretched books and was offended that he might prefer to bury his head in one of them rather than sit and talk to her. She resented him sitting for hours at his easel, too, and they had many blazing rows. One day, when Charles was painting on the veranda deck of Britannia, he went off to look at something for half an hour. He came back to find she’d destroyed his painting and all his materials.”</span></p> <p><strong>Diana’s bulimia spiralled out of control</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Princess Diana had been struggling with bulimia for months by the time her honeymoon came around. “[During our engagement], my husband put his hand on my waistline and said: ‘Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?’ and that triggered off something in me,” she told her biographer Andrew Morton. “And the Camilla thing. I was desperate, desperate. I remember the first time I made myself sick. I was so thrilled because I thought this was the release of tension.” The disorder only got worse aboard the Britannia.</span></p> <p><strong>Diana felt hopeless about the marriage by day two</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the world watched the prince and princess in awe, Diana began to feel despair. She told her biographer Andrew Morton that her “tremendous hope was slashed by day two.” At one point, she wrote “I feel so small, so lonely, so out of my depth,” according to Tina Brown’s book. The couple announced their separation in 1992 and divorced in 1996.</span></p> <p><strong>IMAGE:</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Shutterstock</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Written by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Juliana LaBianca</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This article first appeared on </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/culture/the-shocking-reality-about-charles-and-dianas-honeymoon" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reader’s Digest</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, </span></em><a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.co.nz/subscribe" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>here’s our best</em> subscription offer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>

Relationships

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Family outraged after couple cancel wedding but keep money for their honeymoon

<p>Guests who were supposed to be attending an upcoming wedding have been left gobsmacked and furious over the bride and groom’s decision to cancel the wedding but keep the money donated for the honeymoon.</p> <p>The couple had raked in over $43,000 (US $30,000) from generous friends and family and did not give guests the opportunity to get their money back as it was “donated”.</p> <p>Naturally, friends and family of the bride have been left furious as they found all of this out in a lengthy Facebook post by the bride.</p> <p>“Hi invitees to the wedding.” The post cheerily started.</p> <p>“After much reflection and tear-filled conversation with our closest family members, we have decided to cancel our upcoming winter wedding. We will further notify this group when we are in a better place to reschedule.</p> <p>“We thank each and every one of you for your generous early donations to our money fund. Can you believe we have raised over $30,000??? Unbelievable!”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">How disgusting <a href="https://t.co/YaW9cOhm5p">pic.twitter.com/YaW9cOhm5p</a></p> — christ on a bike’s AUDACITY (@wthDARIELLE) <a href="https://twitter.com/wthDARIELLE/status/1191407989472792578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">4 November 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The bride goes onto explain that their donations will “not be used in vain”.</p> <p>“Don’t worry, the money you’ve donated will not be spent in vain but rather used towards a honeymoon in the coming months.</p> <p>“After we regain financial stability and hold calm in our hearts after a honeymoon, we will announce a new wedding date and re-open our money fund for any further gifts. Weddings are expensive!”</p> <p>Naturally, friends and family of the couple were furious.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Updated comment section 1 <a href="https://t.co/rIw0oq9cLP">pic.twitter.com/rIw0oq9cLP</a></p> — christ on a bike’s AUDACITY (@wthDARIELLE) <a href="https://twitter.com/wthDARIELLE/status/1191485743312580609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">4 November 2019</a></blockquote> <p>One uncle, who generously donated the bride and groom $17,000 ($US 12,000) posted underneath his initial comment after the bride and groom didn’t get back to his calls and messages.</p> <p>“You are to return my more than generous $12,000 donation on behalf of the [blanked out] family in one week. If on 11/13/2019 I don’t see that money, IN CASH, in my bank account, I will be seeing you in court.”</p>

International Travel

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Passengers shocked as plane starts leaking after massive storm

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A couple who was travelling with British Airways were left terrified after they realised their plane was leaking before their journey home.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The eight-hour flight home started off easy enough before the duo realised that the emergency exit door was leaking water.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple had booked the seats for the extra leg room and were worried that the door wasn’t sealed properly due to the excess of water.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nicola Agius explained to </span><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/9462067/british-airways-leaking-plane-storm/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sun Online Travel</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">: “I was on the flight home from Orlando which was already delayed due to a huge thunderstorm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As we took our seats together in the emergency exit, I realised the plane started to leak. Water was literally gushing out of the door.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nicola took a video of the incident and said that staff came over to inspect it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have a fear of flying at the best of times. The fact that none of the staff noticed the door was leaking made me even more nervous.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The staff said it was normal, but I’ve never heard of a plane leaking before.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t understand why five air hostesses were gathered around with the pilot if it was completely normal.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The crew mopped up the area with blankets and as the plane was empty, Nicola and her husband were able to move seats.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We did take off and land safely, but it was scary, and I’ve never seen that before. It was just so terrifying.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“No wonder they have life vests on-board!”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A British Airways spokesman explained that the leaking was normal given the rough conditions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Although rare, this is normal when an aircraft is in a depressurised state when on the ground in very bad weather.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“​The safety and security of our customers is our top priority, and we would not operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”</span></p>

Travel Trouble

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How to put the honeymoon-level excitement back in your marriage

<p>Here's how to put the excitement back into a relationship that is decades long.</p> <p><strong>1. Encourage your partner to pursue a passion</strong></p> <p>Research suggests we're most attracted to our partner when they are in their own element—in other words, when they're feeling confident and in the flow. That may be when he's playing his trumpet or coding a new program, or when she's dancing to flamenco music or painting pictures of historical landscapes.</p> <p>Whatever your individual passions may be, focus on supporting each other to pursue them. "Find where your partner excels and start looking at them fresh through that lens, as if you were strangers, meeting for the first time," suggests sexual health consultant Celeste Holbrook, PhD.</p> <p><strong>2. Show appreciation for your partner at least once a day</strong></p> <p>When you first started dating, remember how much you appreciated the little things your partner did for you and you did for him? Continue to do this in your relationship as it grows over the years. "At the beginning you're giddy with love and gratitude, and you're grateful for your lover and all the little things you do together, the things they say and the places you go together," says Claudia Six, PhD, sexologist, relationship coach, and author of Erotic Integrity: How to Be True to Yourself Sexually.</p> <p>"Reconnect with that gratitude instead of taking your relationship for granted." Start the day by telling each other what you're grateful for, complimenting one another regularly, saying "I love you," and comment on a new dress or a new haircut. If you want to take the romance up a few notches, start leaving love notes in unexpected places—by the coffee machine, in his underwear drawer, by the door so he sees it as he's leaving, or on the garbage can for whoever takes out the trash.</p> <p><strong>3. Plan fun, spontaneous date nights</strong></p> <p>When love is new, date nights are special. But with limited time, kids, the stress of running a household and doing your job, date nights can represent a huge logistical 'should.' "But it really is important to remember how dates used to be, when you'd dress up for them, look your beloved in the eye, be interested in what they say, and allow them to put a twinkle back in your eye," says Dr. Six.</p> <p>"Remember what made you fall in love with him and treat the date as a special time." Go to a concert in the park and bring a picnic basket with wine if that's allowed. Outdoor concerts are often free and can be a great way to have a nice evening together and just enjoy each other's company. Or go out to a nice place for dinner and split an appetiser—order a bottle of wine and make the meal last. "Do this as often as your budget allows, but at least once a month if you can save up for it," recommends Dr. Michael.</p> <p><strong>4. Use the power of touch to your advantage</strong></p> <p>Touching is small way to reconnect and make contact every day. Even just holding hands releases the love hormone oxytocin, which can strengthen empathy and communication between a couple.</p> <p>"Make sure to hold hands, not only when walking down the street, but at home, in the morning when you first wake up, and at the end of the day before going to sleep," says Dr. Six. "You don't have to talk. You can just feel the warmth of your lover's hand in yours and rest in the comfort of it, enjoying the familiarity of your beloved's skin and energy."</p> <p><strong>5. Check in on a regular basis</strong></p> <p>Think of it as a state-of-the-union conversation between the two of you about your relationship. It can be as simple as 15 minutes on the couch where you talk about what made you happy, what moved you. "The mundane tasks of daily living can dull the sparkle in a relationship, but if you make an effort to be genuinely interested in your spouse's state of mind and how they're feeling about things in their life and in the relationship, it'll have you both feeling closer to each other," says Dr. Six.</p> <p>In bed at night or over dinner, ask each other what your favourite part of the day was and why. You might be surprised to learn what is most meaningful to your mate and you may even chuckle at each other's answers as you reminisce about the day's events. This way you're constantly discovering something new about your partner and sharing in their joy, the way you did in the beginning of your relationship.</p> <p>Do you have any other tips? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Written by Jenn Sinrich. </em><em>This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/how-put-honeymoon-level-excitement-back-your-marriage">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRN87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></em></p> <p><img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" /></p>

Family & Pets

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Stranded couple reveal “nightmare” moment their cruise ship ditched them

<p>Newlyweds Maria Gonzalez Roesch and Alessandro Di Palma didn’t think for one moment that their honeymoon would become a headline around the world, but that was before they were spotted running after their Royal Caribbean ship which left without them – and their passport and bank cards.</p> <p>Speaking to the <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8561251/honeymoon-couple-royal-caribbean-cruise-passports/" target="_blank">T</a><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8561251/honeymoon-couple-royal-caribbean-cruise-passports/" target="_blank">he Sun</a></em>, actress Maria described the moment the couple realised that they were left stranded after hearing the ship's horn blast as it sailed away.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHMn58ls9S/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHMn58ls9S/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by María González Roesch (@mariagonzalezroesch)</a> on Feb 20, 2019 at 9:45am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“There was a platform with two crew members, and they were mad with us,” said 26-year-old Maria who is originally from Costa Rica.</p> <p>“We started yelling to them, ‘Please, please let us on, the cruise is still here.’</p> <p>“But the guys said, ‘You are not going to be so lucky and we are closing the doors and leaving’.</p> <p>“Alessandro was in shock because it was his nightmare and it actually happened.</p> <p>“He was so frustrated he wanted to jump to the ship. But (the drop) was so big and dangerous.”</p> <p>Holding punctuality as a top-most priority, Maria revealed that she has never missed a train, plane or boat before, but due to the relaxing nature of their honeymoon, the pair had let their guard down.</p> <p>The ship was expected to sail at 5:30pm, but in a turn of events, left two hours earlier from the Bahamas.</p> <p>The couple reached the port a few minutes before the ship was ready to depart but didn’t realise that it was leaving so soon.</p> <p>“We thought we were on time,” said Maria. “We were there 4:10 pm or 4:15 pm and we heard the call from the ship – but there were so many cruises we thought it was another ship.</p> <p>“Then we heard the horn. When we arrived to the pier we were in shock.”</p> <p>To their horror, the vessel was getting ready to leave and they watched on as the gangway was removed.</p> <p>“I think the worst feeling was to see that the boat was still there and knowing we can go inside and see the boat leave without you,” said Maria.</p> <p>“I think I would have preferred to have been at the pier and the boat had already gone.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9MRXclFlR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9MRXclFlR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by María González Roesch (@mariagonzalezroesch)</a> on Jan 22, 2019 at 3:58pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And as if the situation wasn’t stressful enough, Maria and her husband discovered that they had left their passports and other valuable possessions on board, meaning they were stranded on the island with nowhere to go.</p> <p>Thankfully, the crew managed to return the items, including all travel documents and bank cards to the newlyweds.</p> <p>Once they reached the immigration office, they learned that they were among six other people who had missed the boat.</p> <p>“There were two other couples. One (couple) were very, very angry so we didn’t keep in touch but the other two were nice,” said Maria.</p> <p>“They were a young couple from California.”</p> <p>Upon returning home, Maria and Alessandro believed that the entire ordeal was over, but in the age of the internet, footage of the two running after the ship had gone viral.</p> <p>But despite the stressful incident, the two still saw the humorous side of it all.</p> <p>“Of course, it would be better if it didn’t happen. But it could have a positive flip-side,” said Maria.</p> <p>“Now I can say it was a funny experience and we have a good story to (tell) our kids …”</p> <p>Have you ever missed boarding a plane, train or cruise ship on your travels? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Travel Trouble