Travel is something I did often on my own, before I ever met my husband. In fact, I met him in Prague, at the end of a solo trip through Eastern Europe. But our travels together were the most fun, most meaningful, most dream-fulfilling trips I ever took. I will always think of Steve when I travel, so instead of traveling to forget my grief in widowhood, I lean into remembering him in some important ways. 

If you’re also dealing with grief and the loss of a loved one, here are some ways I’ve found to travel “with” him, even though he’s not here to experience travel with me anymore. The following ideas are written with widows in mind, but feel free to translate them to help you with the loss of a child, parent, friend, or other loved one. Here are five ways I’ve found to help me remember my husband while I travel as a widow. 

I Wear His Wedding Ring

I wear it on a leather strap around my neck. Sometimes I wear a different necklace, but if I want to feel particularly close to him, I wear this one. I know another widow who had her husband’s ring sized down to wear on her hand, stacked with her wedding set. Other widows I know have their husbands’ rings on chains, and others never wear them at all. Maybe there’s another piece of jewelry, or even a piece of clothing that holds meaning for you instead. Take it with you when you travel to feel closer to your loved one, if it helps. 

For him: Steve’s Best Travel Moments

I Have Pizza

Pizza was Steve’s favorite food. Pretty much anywhere we visited in the world, we found pizza to take back to the room and enjoy. So, when I am missing him most, I find a pizza place and order one. Sometimes it’s the one I think he would have picked, and sometimes it’s what I want. Eating pizza always gives me happy thoughts of sharing one with Steve. 

We once planned a trip around pizza: Where to Find the Best Pizza in Chicago

I Write Him a Love Card

My husband’s love language was Words of Affirmation. I wrote him “love cards” often throughout our marriage, just because, and he kept all of them. There are hundreds, maybe over 1,000 cards in a box and posted on the walls in our home. So if I’m traveling, especially for an occasion like a birthday or our anniversary, I take some time to write to him. I tell him anything I’m feeling and pour out loving words to him, like I wish I could do in person. Then I take it home and put it in the box with the rest. Maybe our daughter will read them one day. 

We spoke each other’s love language as often as possible: Where to Travel According to Your Love Language

I Go Back to Places We Went

Sometimes I need to travel to a new place, but sometimes I want to go back to a place we enjoyed together. I went to Hawaii, where we spent our first wedding anniversary, for my first anniversary without him. For Father’s Day, my daughter and I went to Key West, where Steve and I had visited twice and really enjoyed. When I take trips like that, I go to places we went, as well as some new restaurants or sites we didn’t get to when we were there together. It’s a way to embrace old memories and make new ones, too. 

We had a charmed travel life: The Luckiest Things That Ever Happened to Us on Travel

I Listen to His Music

Steve always had his music playing. He had over 3,000 songs on his phone when he died, so I often take his phone with me and listen to his music. He would always listen to it in the mornings on our travels, while he was working out or in the shower or getting dressed. His music was a part of his personality, and I’m so grateful I still have it. I listen on the plane, while I’m getting ready for the day, or just when I wish I could have him closer. The song remembers when. 

Keep reading: How to Keep the Romance Alive on Travel Days

Are there things you do when you travel to feel closer to your loved one? Comment to let us know. 

Want more? Take a look at my dedicated Single Parent Travel Page.

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