Vacations Are Good for Your Marriage

Not too long ago, we blogged about the importance of vacations for your family (click here to read that post). We try to take a big vacation every year—and usually several weekend ones throughout the year—because we believe that vacations are good for your marriage.

Growing up, I always went on family vacations, and last week my sister shared this post from Jen Hatmaker about family vacations in a group text.  As usual, Jenn had me rolling on the floor laughing. My sister and brother and I went back and forth via text remembering those fun times.

Howell and I were on vacation when my sister shared this story, and as I texted with my family about our vacations growing up, I was reminded that my parents were also very intentional about taking their own vacations sans kids.

Howell’s parents did the same, and when we were first married, we said we’d make that a priority. Even though we didn’t have any money, we’d set aside a little bit each month and plan to go somewhere.

We still do that.

And we’ve been to some great places (ten states plus London and the Caribbean)! Over Spring Break, I presented at a conference in Portland, Oregon, and we both took some vacation days to make a trip of it.

We flew into the Bay Area and spent the weekend there. I’d never been to San Francisco, so we got to do all the touristy stuff (Golden Gate, Lombard Street, Pier 39, Full House, etc.).

Then we rented a car and drove up the coast to Brookings, Oregon. The sights were breathtaking—from the redwoods, which really are amazing, to the beach just mere yards from the highway.

We stayed at a little rent house in Brookings that was right on the beach. So peaceful and relaxing. (We decided we want to go back and stay there for a week!)

Then we detoured to Crater Lake before heading to Portland for the conference.

Although we were “on the go” a lot for our vacation, we both commented several times about how peaceful it was to drive together and to be alone and to be disconnected from work and other life responsibilities.

That’s what vacations do. They allow you to re-fuel, refresh, revive.

If you feel challenged to find quality time with your spouse because of life or kids or work, I highly encourage you to save some money and plan a trip with just the two of you.

It’s a worthwhile investment for your marriage!