[nanajoanne]

My hubby has only ever been away from me for a maximum of 1 weekend at a time. We would rather be together even after 30 yrs.

[MissyChrissy]

I have taken a vacation without my dh. I worked civil service at the time, and had WAY more vacation time than he did...and if I didn't use it, I'd lose it. So...I packed my girls up (this was before Conner) & we drove from NY to SC all by ourselves!!!! I LOVED IT!

My dh is an avid hunter. He talks about hunting out west. I wouldn't participate in that.

Of course I miss him when we're apart, but I can enjoy myself without him too. My happiness comes from inside, and is not dependent on him. Obviously, I enjoy sharing pleasurable things with him, that's what makes marriage nice. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy things without him either. And visa versa. He knows how to have fun without me! lol

[kevin123]

Thanks to all of you for sharing your insights! My wife & I have struggled with this very question for at least ten years of our almost twenty years together, and we have always taken the major (weeklong) vacations together, and with both of our kids with us. We sometimes do weekend trips apart (my wife with her girlfriends, or me with a guy friend or just by myself), but I have felt like it would somehow be "wrong" for us to take separate, major vacations. Now I think I understand that doing so may work very well for us! I am looking forward to discussing this with my wife ASAP. I think the insights you all shared will help my marriage a lot.

My wife loves hot, sunny beaches; I love cool, misty mountains. She loves hot weather and wearing a styish bathing suit; I like curling up in comfortable, old, wornout sweaters. She loves lots of crowds and action; I love peace and quite, time to reflect on life. She loves shopping; I love ancient historical sites. She loves speaking English alone and has no interest in learning foreign languages; I have a passion for learning and absolutely crave to use foreign languages to make new friends from foreign countries. She loves dressing up and looking stylish; I like exploring musty old buildings and muddy mountian ravines.

We did the trip to Hawaii thing a couple of years ago, together, and we brought our two children with us. My wife enjoyed the beaches, and I enjoyed exploring the volcanoes. I sweated in the heat when I was with her, and she froze in the high altitude chilliness when she was with me.

Thanks to all of you, you have opened my eyes to what my (very smart) wife has suggested many times... let's take separate vacations.

We love each other... we just don't love the same vacations.

Thanks,
Kevin

[MommaColleen]

My parents used to do this when I was growing up. My Mom was a beach kinda lady and Dad was a mountain (camping) person. Neither liked the other so we got to choose where we went.

When we all got back we would share stories, souvenirs and pictures. It was fun.

[3kidsnopets]

Someone once told me that we all need 3 vacations a year.

One with the family
one with your spouse
and one by yourself.

[swt1899]

I have some friends that do this. She'll go off vacationing and he'll stay here or the opposite. We were all at our high school reunion and he was there, but she wasn't. She was off in Paris. He brought a friend to the reunion as his "date." We all thought it was very odd. I guess they are happy. He didn't seem to act other wise.
I also have an Aunt who does this but simply to get away from everything. Her and her husband don't talk anymore so she takes lavish vacations on his money (Thailand, Japan, France, England, etc.). But for some reason they are still married. We kinda all shake our heads at the whole thing.
Having the house to myself a few days out of the year is kind of a vacation to me. I get more house work done! But we are never apart more than a day.

[chio88]

Sounds good to me too! Sometimes we just have like a time out from each other even just for a day. It's just refreshing ourselves for a while and at least you'll have the time to miss each other

[starlife]

I do find that very strange, why do they take it separate - have anyone ever asked them why,..... not because he is a pastor, after all they are married and sleep in the same bed, lol