A question that we regularly get asked is ‘what is it like being together 24 hours a day?’ So many people appear to be intrigued as to how we manage to be together for virtually every minute of every day. We have been asked the same question in New York, in Melbourne, in Belfast and even in Waianakurua right at the bottom of south island New Zealand.
We have met so many wonderful people over the past three years and more often than not we end up discussing our nomadic existence and how we manage our lives. The most common response that we get, in fact we’ve had it countless times, is when one half of a couple we are talking to says:
There is no way I could live with him for 24 hours a day! We’d end up killing each other!
Now I could easily swap the him for her as it has come from both sides but the majority of couples we have met claim that they just could not stand being together all of the time. Their relationships are fine, they obviously love each other, but they all say that they just wouldn’t survive without some time apart from each other. So obviously they are both surprised and inquisitive about how we manage it.
There are so many cliches that I could throw at you now such as ‘we were made for each other‘ and ‘we’re soul mates‘ but the truth is probably far less romantic. A successful relationship where you are never apart takes a fair amount of hard work.
In our experience the toughest part of your married life is when children come along and you change from a loving couple into loving parents. It’s not that you feel any less for each other it’s just that the children rightly become your priority. Then many years later they spread their wings and go off to start their own lives leaving you behind as a couple of empty-nesters (I hate that phrase even though it describes the situation pretty well). That’s when you turn to look at each other and start to appreciate how much you have both changed over those years. This can be a critical moment that many couples just can’t get over.
Now it may be good fortune or it could be hard work but I suspect it’s a combination of the two that re-ignite the flames and return your relationship to how it was when you first met. It wasn’t hard for either of us though to rediscover why we fell for each other all those years ago.
Our whole JWalking experience could never have got past first base if we weren’t completely together and the key to our continuing successful lifestyle is undoubtedly that we just love being with each other. We listen when the other has something to say and we actually talk to each other all of the time. We both have things that we are particularly good at and trust each other implicitly when one of other of us makes a decision.
Jo is great booking accommodation whereas I tend to arrange flights and train journeys. She handles the day to day money while I look after the long-term budget. I take responsibility for all of the electronic devices where she sorts out toiletries and medicines. Oh and it’s probably not great that Jo always cooks but I do all of the washing up.
We aren’t identical though as we like different films, prefer different types of music, go for different books, have different interests, like some different foods. It’s all about give and take and compromise like any relationship and life would probably be a little dull if we were exactly the same.
So that’s how we manage to be together for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It isn’t difficult, in fact we don’t even think about it. In all honesty, whenever we are apart for a day or more I am completely lost without her. Absolutely hopeless.
Perhaps we were made for each other?
JWalking 
Perhaps you were, Jonno, and it’s very nice to see. Mick works from home and we are a bit chalk and cheese, but mostly it works. It has to because it’s what we both want, and that’s the bottom line. It it together. 🙂 🙂
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I’m not sure how things would work out if you had identical likes and dislikes, could be a bit dull I guess? It’s all about compromise isn’t it?
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Darn! Or even – IN it together 🙂 🙂 You have to laugh!
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If you didn’t you’d cry!
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How lovely, just looking at the photos of you two makes me smile xx
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Funny looking couple eh?
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What a lovely post! I’m quite jealous of the amount of time you get to spend together – my hubby works away a fair amount so we don’t spend that much time together at the moment…
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It doesn’t work for everyone but we are very lucky that we both want the same things in life. Im sure you guys will get to spend a lot more time together when the time is right.
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I think you have summed it up right there Jonno. Our relationships are definitely changing over time, and inevitably we must change with them. It’s wonderful to see you guys have accomplished so much together over time. Great role models indeed. 🙂
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Lovely of you to say. Every relationship evolves doesn’t it? Just have to make sure that we all evolve with them I suppose.
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Absolutely 😉
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I think you hit the nail in the head there- ‘give and take and compromise’. Something too few people are willing to do. You look like a great couple who really enjoy both life and your time together. Good for you!
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Thanks so much for the kind words and you’re so right about compromise. It’s what makes relationships work.
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Are you thinking of branching out in to couples therapy? You’re a big old softy Ringo.I couldn’t handle you for 24 hours a day, everyday. Well done Jo is all I can say.
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Therapy? Great idea. We do need to earn something. Jo is a saint, everyone knows that.
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It is definitely a lifestyle that requires compatibility. In the caravanning world only the most compatible couples survive ‘living in a tin can’.
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You probably know it better than most then. I guess it could be a real pressure cooker if you didn’t get on!
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We and a dozen others watched on as a motor Home juggled to get into a very easy site in Sawtell NSW. There was so much bellowing and shouting that we couldn’t help but watch. When they finally got it parked a for sale sign went up on the window!
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Sounds like a scene from a Carry On film. Perhaps that particular couple shouldn’t be travelling together eh?
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It’s rather sad when you meet a couple who upon retirement realise they aren’t compatible together 24/7. The hour or two at the end of the working day was all they could sustain. Funny thing is the people who seem to get on well with other also seem to be the best at getting along with everyone else too.
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I suspect that there are more couples than we realise that don’t particularly get on and probably only have meals out holidays in common.
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I can see where you are coming from. My husband & I are together 24/7 and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Yes, we like different films. Yes, some of us like to walk in woods rather than sit at the computer. Our music tastes are not the same. But we have respect for one another and want each other to be happy. We enhance each other’s life.
It is nice to read your blog and see another couple enjoying life.
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Thanks Sue. I think it makes life more interesting if you aren’t identical and have differing interests.
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It’s a question we get asked too.. but like you, there are stages of life we go through and having the love and support of each other builds the friendship deeper and allows you to “forgive” the frustrations and appreciate the other.
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That’s so right. All about a bit of give and take.
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Sounds to me like you were made for each other!! Great relationship, great team. You can see and read the respect and love you have for each other in your blogs. Long may it continue😊
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Thanks Liz, what a lovely thing to say. We’re doing okay so far and don’t ever seem to have a cross word or fall out. Fingers crossed that continues forever.
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