5 Reasons Why You Should Travel With Your Partner Before Getting Married

Some people would suggest to live with your partner in order for you to get to know them better before you’d make it official through marriage. I disagree because that’s too complicated. If you just wanted to test your partner before you make the commitment, I recommend that you plan a trip. I am not talking about a romantic weekend getaway in an all inclusive resort. Travel to places that will take you away from your comfort zone and will test your relationship while you make lifelong memories.

Here are the 5 reasons why you should travel as a couple before getting married: 

1. You get to focus only with each other

Traveling is the perfect way to have quality time. My husband’s number one reason for traveling with me is that he wanted for us to build as much memories as we can as a couple before having kids. It’s easier to plan for trips when you have lesser responsibilities and you only have to think about each other.

However, if your personalities don’t match, having only each other for a long time can be exhausting. When you don’t have a choice but to pay attention to each other, noticing your boyfriend’s flaws will be easier. This is actually good because you have to know if you can accept your partner’s bad side as soon as possible anyway. Seeing their flaws early in the relationship will help you to stay married.

2. You will see each other’s natural beauty- the good, the bad and the ugly.

When my husband and I were still dating, I always make it sure that I look my best every time he picks me up for a date.  Just like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, during our short weekend getaway trips, I would wake up early in the morning to wash my face, brush my teeth and comb my hair before he wakes up. However, going on long exhausting trips and spending the whole day exploring a city made me let go of that I woke up like this “pretty and gorgeous” image.

Morning breath- check. Messy hair and no make up- check. Eyes that won’t fully close when sleeping- check. Yup, that’s me! I wasn’t aware of the latter until he told me. I lived my life believing that I look like an angel when I’m sleeping. My husband saw all of these superficial flaws and accepted them. I could also accept his, so we’re even. Okay that’s too shallow, although for some people that might be a good reminder but what I really want to point out is the importance of seeing your partner when their guards are down.

Traveling can help you test the authenticity of one’s character, it could be during late at night when he’s exhausted after exploring, early in the morning before she puts on the mask for the day or when your partner is hungry and tired but you can’t figure out your location. There are so many unexpected things that could happen during your trip and this is the best way to see your partner’s genuine self. Can your partner keep their cool? Does she/he have a temper? Does she/he nags or make you feel bad easily when something is not going right?

It’s amazing to see that your partner can still be nice and sweet even when both of you are already drained from the day’s activity.

3. Your hotel is your future home.

One of the best way that can help you visualize your future home is to be mindful about what goes on in your hotel room.

Check your partner’s luggage and your rented place during your trips if you want to know if your house is going to be tidy or a hot mess in the future. My husband packs his luggage neatly more than I could. He also reminds me to take off my shoes and to use my clean slippers exactly as soon as we enter the hotel room, it’s like an involuntary reflex for him. I’m not a slob but I just couldn’t fold my clothes the way he does and he’s very particular about some things that sometimes he reminds me even if I don’t need it.

I also couldn’t pack light because I have too much beauty products that I feel like I needed to carry with me wherever I go and I have different kinds of shoes for every outfit. Now that we’re living together, I’m still the same and my husband still complains about how much body wash, hair products and skin products I have in our bathroom. He also thinks that I have too much shoes and bags.

You will also see each other’s habits in your hotel room and you will have a glimpse of your future role when you are already married. My husband sleeps very late reading and obsessing about amazon product reviews, yelp reviews and the top places to visit on TripAdvisor. I sleep early and wake up early usually to prepare his breakfast and sometimes our snacks before we start our day. Even up to this date, my husband takes care of the planning and organizing about almost everything while I am in charge of his food.

4. You will test each other’s patience and ability to compromise.

My husband loves to live on the edge. He loves the thrill of pushing himself and any situation to its limits. He’s like a puppy in a park. He runs around and gets excited about everything. I am more reserved, chill and grounded. That’s how we balance each other. He adds excitement in my life while I make sure that the puppy doesn’t jump off the cliff while chasing the butterfly.

You will not always 100% agree on how you’re going to do things. You will have different ideas of what you want to do for the day or how you want things done when you are traveling. Being able to compromise is very important in a relationship and traveling allows you to practice doing that. When you’re left with only each other during a trip, you will be able to see how well you can tolerate your partner.

I must admit that we fought and argued during some of our trips but what’s important is that we were able to resolve our issues and we never had to cut a trip short because we disagreed about something.

5. Traveling will strengthen your bond

Traveling is like a team building activity for two. From the moment you decide to plan for a trip, you will start to learn how to work with each other and plan around each other’s schedule, budget and interest.

There will be so many opportunities during a trip that will bring you closer to your partner and most of the time you will have the same goal that you would want to achieve. You will be motivating and supporting each other and you will learn how to communicate and to listen.

Your bonding doesn’t end after the trip ends. You will retell these stories to your family, friends and kids someday.

 

Obviously, traveling is only one of so many ways that can help a couple grow together and strengthen their relationships. It is only a tool that helps speeds up the process of bonding and getting to know each other. Marriage needs work and requires the participation and effort of both parties to last forever.

 

If you can travel with your partner, marry him/her! – Do you agree?

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