My husband and I began our relationship walking.
We were both in college and didn’t have a car, so we walked up to campus together a few times a week before we started dating.
On our first date, we walked over 3 miles.
We would walk to the local LDS temple, restaurants, stores, movie theater, events on campus, everywhere!
Sometimes, we just took walks to take walks and hang out together.
I believe it was on our walks that I really fell in love with him.
On our walks, we discussed things weighing on our minds, whether personal, emotional, spiritual, whatever.
On walks, we talked about our goals, short-term and long-term, and discussed the future, and sometimes the past.
Some walks we took worked to get us back into shape or help keep my pregnant body active and healthy.
Walking has proven so therapeutic over the years.
I’m not sure why walking has this power for us, but it does.
Perhaps it has to do with the facts I love talking, my husband loves talking, and walks give you so much time to just talk and to listen too!
The fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and sometimes beautiful scenery help you think clearer and freer, allowing you to find solutions to problems as you explore options that for some reason you never thought of before.
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I don’t know exactly how all the physical and psychological benefits of walking contribute to strengthening our marriage, but the communication we have during these walks has made a big difference.
Our walks have helped us grow closer together over the years, work through complicated decisions, helped us be healthier, and diffuse tense situations.
Walking as a Couple and Making Decisions
While not every walk has been positive, and some even filled with tension, in general it has been how we best solve life’s dilemmas.
For instance, when we decided to move to Indiana from Utah, I’m pretty sure we discussed it on a walk.
To help us decide whether or not to take a certain job after graduation, we took several walks.
When my husband decided to work at a Catholic High School, we took a walk.
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Lately, it has seemed like every walk we take we have brilliant ideas (or so we think). Josh had a great idea for his Probability and Statistics class for next year while on a walk.
Today we discussed when we could potentially buy a house.
A different walk we discussed what we’d like the kids to accomplish this summer.
I wonder what we’ll discuss on our next!
What have you found as a powerful tool in your relationships?
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Brittany says
Walks are definitely #1! We haven’t gone in a long time since we moved but walks have always provided an opportunity to be completely focused on each other, away from phones and computers. Talking before we go to sleep at night is great too. I have to fight off the sleepiness but “pillow talk” has also been a great help in talking, expressing frustrations and goals for us.
Brittany and Joe says
I completely agree with the walks. Joe and I don’t get a chance to do enough of them. Also car rides. Joe likes to just go for a drive now and then and that’s something really nice for us.