Verna and Manie Libbok toast to their first anniversary: a love story filled with travel adventures

Verna and Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok are out here showing us how it’s done.

To mark their first year of marriage, they shared a playful, romantic collage of their travels and moments that prove love + adventure = relationship goals.

From romantic kisses to candid travel snaps, the images give fans a peek into a year filled with laughter, love and spontaneous exploration.

The couple, who tied the knot on October 6, 2024, at Seeplaas in Groot Brakrivier near Mossel Bay, marked the occasion by sharing a series of photos from their travels.

One of the standout images features the pair sharing a kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower, proving that romance is still alive and well.

Okay, we see you, Libboks!

Travel isn’t just about ticking destinations off a list or flexing on Instagram. It’s the ultimate relationship booster, like couple therapy, but with better scenery and wine.

When you pack your bags and step out of your comfort zone, you’re signing up for adventure, laughs, and yes … a few “why are we arguing over directions again?” moments that actually bring you closer.

Research indicates that couples who vacation together experience higher relationship satisfaction.

A study published in "Psychology Today" found that engaging in self-expanding activities, such as travelling with a partner, leads to positive outcomes, including greater relationship satisfaction, passion and sexual desire.

In other words, trying new things together, whether it’s climbing a lighthouse, sipping wine in a hidden vineyard, or figuring out the local tram system, rewires your brain to connect joy and excitement with your partner.

And no, it doesn't have to be Paris. Not all of us are professional rugby players with match-winning salaries. Even a weekend escape to a nearby town, a wine farm, or a quirky Airbnb can work wonders. It’s about breaking the routine and making memories that are all yours.

Travel also forces you to communicate, and not just “what’s for supper?” kind of communication.

Navigating new cities, unfamiliar menus, and missed trains makes teamwork mandatory, and that translates to life at home. Think of it as relationship CrossFit, a bit messy, sometimes sweaty, but you come out stronger.

So pack your bags (even for a local getaway), leave your phones at least half the time, and go make memories that remind you why you fell in love in the first place.