How do you know?

I assume you already know this, but I live with Boyfriend. We've been co-habitating (that makes us sound like zoo animals...) for a few years now. So, how did we know we were ready to move in together, that it wouldn't be a total disaster? We didn't. Here's what I believe helped prevent total mayhem.

We traveled together. The summer before we moved in together we backpacked through Italy for three weeks. We had just finished college and knew that opportunities to travel would become rarer and rarer. So, despite the fact that we hadn't been together very long (just under a year) we booked hostels and train tickets, packed borrowed backpacks and hopped on a plane.

I like to pose awkwardly for tourist-tastic pictures.

My take-away from our adventure? I would advise anyone to travel with their partner before making a big commitment. Italy in July is hot and crowded and neither of us speak Italian. We had a tiny budget and only each other for support. I got crabby and uncomfortable, Boyfriend got frustrated and discouraged, we got lost in Venice when the vaporettos went on strike. It was exactly what we needed. We learned each others breaking points, annoying habits and tendencies to snore loudly and never stop. We also toured amazing museums, ruins, ate delicious food and drank cheap wine. Italy is a magical place.

Boyfriend likes to try to read while I bother him.

At the end of our adventure, I think we both had much more realistic expectations for what being around the other 24/7 would look like. That's not to say that it's been smooth sailing ever since. We're still bugged by the little obnoxious things the other does, but traveling together and being forced outside your comfort zone together can be a fun, exotic relationship bootcamp. 

We're looking at spending a summer in Germany in a few years. Boyfriend may have the opportunity to teach at a university in Mannheim. Relationship Bootcamp Round 2!

Take a great trip lately? Know any awesome, secret travel tips? Think we're crazy people?