Lessons from Planning Our 22-Day Road Trip

I’m learning some powerful lessons while planning our upcoming 22-day road trip from Cornwall, Ontario, to Edmonton, Alberta, passing through Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Calgary.

Planning a road trip is a lot like building a marriage:

  1. You need a clear destination.
    Without a destination, any road will do—and you may end up lost or frustrated. In marriage, knowing where you want to go (joy, connection, intimacy) makes every decision purposeful.
  2. Someone needs to take the lead.
    A road trip goes smoother when someone takes the responsibility to plan the route and set the pace. In marriage, someone has to take the first step in showing love, forgiveness, and patience—often inspiring the other to follow.
  3. You can’t plan for every bump on the road.
    Flat tires, weather delays, and wrong turns can become a part of any journey. Marriage also has unexpected challenges. What matters is staying on the journey together.
  4. Regular stops are essential.
    On a long trip, you can’t just drive non-stop—you need breaks. Similarly, marriages thrive when couples take time to rest, refresh, and reconnect.
  5. Preparation makes the journey smoother.
    A well-planned route, good snacks, and a working GPS make the trip enjoyable. In marriage, learning how to communicate, forgive, and show love makes life together sweeter.

We can choose to enjoy the ride, no matter how long or challenging, when we prepare our hearts with love and patience.

What’s one thing you can plan or take the lead on in your marriage this week?

Blessings,
Ade