Vacationing as a Form of Relationship Counseling

Symptoms: Lackluster romance, questionable sex life, microwave dinners, and zero nights on the town.
Diagnosis: Relationship-itis
Rx: Mexico

Why is it that when relationships get tough, couples immediately turn to a vacation somewhere warm, sunny, and full of booze?

Hey don’t get me wrong. Sand between my toes and an umbrella in my drink has single girl written all over it. And I’ve been there. How do you think I got to Senor Frogs and gained 5 lbs in 3 days from margaritas? I digress. When it’s the only time you can get along with your partner something just doesn’t add up.

I have a friend who dated a guy for years. Every 9-12 months things would get incredibly rocky and she would be ready to break things off with him. She’d build up the courage to sit down, convince herself she could do better, and then he would book a weekend getaway to some place over 90 degrees and all inclusive.

She’d come back from her vacation rested, satisfied, and would have a rockin’ tan that would make a grown many cry.

And I’d be like, “what’s the deal?” channeling my inner hair-dresser, trying to get her to remember all those things she said before she left. “Oh we worked it out” she’d say.
Apparently an open bar and guacamole does wonders for a failing relationship.

“Working on things” comes in many shapes and forms. Vacations, experimentation, and new adventures. And I say, go for it! You may find that an extended weekend is all you needed to get things back in the groove.

But if you get off that plane from Cancun and you’re standing at the terminal arguing about how close you should be standing to the rotating luggage turnstile? Maybe it’s time to have that 9 month talk.

Again.