Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

It’s a Little Crazy Thing Called Love

Billy Kaderli

That’s exactly what has happened to me. Every once in a while, you get shown the light in the strangest places—if you look at it right. I’ve been hit with a spotlight.

How this happened so quickly, and how deep the feelings already are, I cannot explain. Believe me, we’ve both tried. I’m no longer trying to understand it. I’m riding this wave to the end. Every day feels like once in a lifetime. It’s as if I’ve won the lottery, and the odds of winning again are not in my favor.

You’ve read the history. Now I’m trying to write the future. For both of us, it’s an open book, and we are on the same page. We know the pitfalls. We understand them. So what is there to lose?

Geography was never Akaisha’s strong point. More than once she suggested I connect with Saya, a Japanese friend we met in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and travel with her. Saya is a psychiatrist, a friend, and a surfer. We’ve stayed in touch, but there was never any attraction. Surfing was our connection.

The winds from Akaisha were favorable that day. A summer breeze carried me south to Thailand, and I met Yaya. Don’t ask me how we got here, except that Akaisha put her in my path. That’s the only explanation I have.

Neither of us has close family, children, or parents. Yaya told me she loves Akaisha more than me because Akaisha sent me to her. Recently she made merit—a Buddhist tradition—and included Akaisha and me. It was sincere, honest, personal, and deeply touching.

A few years ago, a friend married to an Asian woman told me, “Billy, you’re no spring chicken.” Those words have never been truer. I play the hand I’m dealt, not the one I wish I had.

At this stage of life, honesty, clarity, and forgiveness matter more than the rest. I want to love and I want to be loved. That’s who I am. Yes, physical attraction matters to both of us. But we are mature enough to know that the heart lasts longer.

This has been a wild month of getting to know each other through video, letters, and chat. We both feel as if we’ve known each other for years. We almost finish each other’s sentences—except hers are in Thai. Language is a challenge, but the connection is real.

My Thai will improve, and so will her English. A friend reminded me that talking is overrated.

Billy

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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