a date with Des Moines

A few weeks ago, in the car, Luke and I were having a loudly-voiced discussion about a few things.

I think he said, "we should do this" and I began my ranty rant about how "we always say we are going to do things but never end up doing things" etc etc etc. 

Um, dramatic. 

And so, in true Luke wonderful style, he challenged me on it. Like what? He said, let's make them happen. 

Let's just say I'm often hormonal and say things - not because they have any evidence or grounding - but simply because I'm emotional, tired and need to make a point.

I said "go to a football game" - so he scheduled a date.

Then, I said "go to Des Moines' - and he said 'okay'. 

Des Moines is in Iowa, and I'm not even sure why I wanted to go there. I think I saw it in a picture, or on a sign one day, and decided that it was a new and passionate dream of mine.

Just like going to India. When people ask me, 'why India?' I usually say "I don't know, it's colourful". 

I didn't know why I wanted to go there but in the heat of the I-simply-must-be-right moment, I made my points with.. Des Moines.

And so, after rescheduling once (it was storming) yesterday, me and my fiance (OH GOODNESS I'M GETTING MARRIED AHHHH!!!!) hopped in the car and drove the two and a half something hours to Des Moines; just because, and just to hang out. It was, wonderful. 

Without an agenda (I don't like that word at all) we ended up stopping in a tiny town we now know to be named Walnut, and we looked at antique shops. The town literally has a dozen of them.

We were creeped out by dolls, creeped out by witches, treated to a beautiful lunch in a quiet, Iowa diner; and we looked through vintage clothes, old coins, beautiful antique furniture and about a hundred other hidden, dainty treasures. 

Then onto Des Moines! We went to a sculpture park, an art gallery, the capital building, a rose garden, the botanical gardens (don't do it, worst place ever) and out to dinner with some new (to me) and old (for him) friends. It was.. great.

Just, great. 

He is great. 

God is GREAT!

Happy weekend!

not quite the same as the Sydney Opera House..

now look a little closer.