Living in a van has strengthened our relationship

When I tell people my partner and I live in a small camper van, the usual reaction is curiosity — often in the form of a joking, "And you still like each other?" We have spent three of our seven years together traveling in the van and are entering our fourth year calling it home, so that question comes up a lot.

Sharing so many new experiences deepens our connection. We bond over moments big and small — from watching North America's earliest sunrise in Newfoundland to cold-dipping in Glacier National Park to laughing at the highway's strangest billboards — and the constant novelty creates a steady stream of shared memories.

Van life also forces us to work as a team. Tackling unusual problems — getting unstuck from a ditch, finding a place to empty the composting toilet, or deciding where to park after a long hike — brings a satisfying sense of partnership. With so little room to hide, we deal with disagreements quickly and grow together rather than letting issues fester.

Canada, Newfoundland

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