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The Story Behind Us: Carly & Lee

How did you meet and when did you both realize your love for travel?

We met through friends when he had recently got back from a long deployment in Africa as a Pararescueman in the US Air Force and I had recently graduated college. He had done a lot of traveling through the Airforce and I was lucky enough to have parents that brought me up with a traveling mentality so we quickly had that in common. Our first year together he had accepted a contracting job overseas with a schedule that allowed us to travel together 3 months a year.

Where was your first destination together and tell us about it.

Our first destination together was a month in Costa Rica traveling all around the country, a new adventure each day. This was my first experience traveling the way that he does; he is an adventure junkie and at the time I was a bit timid. We climbed volcanos, swam in their craters, went zip lining through the jungle, spearfished and went scuba diving with sharks… oh, and we fell in love.

How do you share your work on the road? Who does what?

As far as travel planning goes, we usually just conduct a bucket list of things we want to do in our destination, buy tickets and then figure it out from there. Usually we don’t like booking too far in advance incase our plans change (because they usually do) so typically we will book our hotel/hostel that day and we tend to do that together to keep each other happy. We both love photography so we share that job too. He however does all of the driving and I think we both feel safer that way 😉

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Have you noticed any changes in the relationship since you started traveling together?

I have definitely noticed changes in our relationship since we started traveling together! We miss each other so much more when we are not together since we go months without being apart for a single minute. We have grown to be comfortable in all aspects of our relationship, from having to share our personal space to getting the stomach flu together; there are no secrets anymore.  We have also become much more silly and weird around each other, which I love.

Living and traveling together 24/7 can sometimes be stressful and relate to moments of disagreements or misunderstandings. How do you cope with these situations?

Most of our disagreements traveling together revolve around driving and directions- he is the driver and I am the GPS navigator. If you’ve used a GPS in a foreign country, you know that they always get you all turned around… but now we’ve just learned to laugh it off. We’re on vacation, there is no need to be in a rush.

What is the most beautiful moment you have experienced together while traveling?

The most beautiful moment we’ve experienced would have to be on our last trip together. We did a 5-day hike to Machu Picchu. He is an avid hiker and wilderness man and I’m a bit of a girly girl so it was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. But that moment when we got to the top of Machu Picchu hand in hand with that magical view was one of the best I’ve ever had in my life. Seeing how proud he was of me didn’t hurt either.

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What do you like the most about traveling as a couple?

What I like the most about traveling as a couple is constantly learning new things about one another. We are together so much that there is no shortage of conversation and we are constantly being put in new situations so it is cool to see how each other reacts. I also don’t hate the fact that he makes me feel safe all the time J

What do you like the least about traveling as a couple?

What I like the least about traveling as a couple is probably just when I get the urge to do something girly like go wine tasting, shopping or get my nails done. He would do them with me if I asked but sometimes it’s just nice to have an all girl’s trip.

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How do you keep the relationship spark alive on the road?

Keeping the spark alive on the road is easy for us. We challenge each other so much with new adventures and there is nothing more attractive than watching your significant other do something new or badass for the first time and see their face light up with joy. I also believe that there is nothing more beautiful than learning and experiencing new cultures together. We do throw in some date nights here and there too, whether it be dressing up for a nice restaurant or cooking a nice meal together, I wouldn’t rather travel with anyone else.

What is one piece of advice you’d give to any couple wanting to travel together?

DO IT! There is nothing like traveling for long periods of time with a significant other that makes you realize if you are right for each other or not. Fall in love with every moment and take lots of pictures, these are the times that you will cherish forever!!

Get to Know the Couple:
Carly: @carly.diem

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