By Elena Skvirski

In 2012, on my first Camino, single and carefree, I would have laughed if someone told me I would be writing my Camino love story nearly a decade later, yet, here we are. My first Camino love was the Camino itself; the beauty and the spirit represented a way of living with an open heart. Walking was such a transformative experience for me that I even started a Camino meetup group in my hometown of Denver upon return.

A few years later, I met my partner, and of course, wouldn’t stop talking about the Camino. He politely listened and was mildly excited about the idea of walking the Camino Frances together. When one day a friend mentioned the Portuguese Camino, Dobri’s eyes lit up and he said to me and my teenage son, “Let’s get those plane tickets!” I was on the task of planning the trip within hours of that conversation, feeling excited that the ocean views and amazing seafood would be among the treats of our first Camino together.

They asked us what we want to drink, I said white wine and Dobri said red wine. They left us with a bottle of each. The Camino provides…

Fast forward a few years – two more kids and numerous Caminos with all three kids. Our daughter was six months old the first time we took her on the Camino. Our youngest son learned to walk and took his first steps on the Camino around his first birthday. My love for the Camino became contagious for the entire family and turned into inspiration and support forother families to take their own Camino journeys. I even wrote a book Camino Mysteries about our children experiencing the magic of the Camino on their fictional adventure on the way to Santiago.

I recently asked Dobri about his favorite Camino moment. He said it was the day on our first Portuguese Camino together when my son and I kept unloading the heavy items from both our backpacks into his. This statement brought back precious memories, but made me chuckle because at the end of that day Dobri ended up carrying our son’s entire backpack. It was a remarkable yet hard day for us, but I wasn’t sure why it would be his favorite. “Because, he said, I was ready to not only carry your backpacks, but to support you both my entire life.”

What could I reply to that, except that he is the best Camino and life partner in the world. We all appreciate him so much. We remember all the backpacks and kids he carried  on our Caminos.

Valentine’s Day this year will be full of Camino planning and dreaming. Our hearts are full of love. The Camino continues to deepen in our lives. We can’t wait to walk as a family again and wish Buen Camino to everyone! May you have many wonderful Camino adventures! Enjoy the journey with your friends and family. Camino is destined to bring so much love into your lives!

Love and peace,

Elena Skvirski, author of Camino Mysteries.

I am featuring Camino love stories on this blog.  Why? Because love is in the air! I certainly respect the premise of what happens on the Camino stays on the Camino.  However, love is a splendid thing that should be celebrated. Has the Camino provided you with more than just a long walk? If you have a Camino love story to share,  email me or use the form below. Photos and video links welcome.

Share the Camino love! ♥
Laurie