DOWNTOWN DATE NIGHT

This past year has been a doozy.  Last year at this time we were gearing up to try to get a second restaurant.  Then we got the second restaurant.  All the while we had four children who seem to require a lot of time and attention.  Our marriage has definitely felt the strain of all of these adventures in the past 12 months.

Earlier this year, we decided to implement almost weekly date nights as a survival technique.  We realized that it was one place we could easily get a break, and though we certainly haven't managed a date night every week, we have had one many weeks.  It's been such a good thing, and I'm so thankful.  We get to talk without all the other little voices chiming in.  We get to eat food not made by us.  We do not have to clean up or put our children to bed.  It's sort of amazing.  Okay, it's completely amazing.

Last night, we made the call to head downtown and try someplace new to us, Samantha's Tap Room.  It was delicious - fresh and light - perfect summer food.




We walked, taking in the sights and seeing where the upgrades are in the works.  I loved this recently completed mural.

I really love our city.  It has its flaws, but so does everywhere else.  And after these 8 years, Little Rock is our home.  We are content here and love the charm our Small City/Big Town has.





Though the river has already crested, it was pretty wild to see how high it still is!  I've never seen it this full.

We had a delightful night, strolling hand in hand, talking when we felt like it, staying quiet when we felt like it.  It's nice to be 10 years deep into marriage and be able to enjoy time like that.  There are so many many many hard things, and every once in a while (or every week if we are lucky!), it makes a pleasant change to come up for air, remember why we like each other and be ready to plunge back into the thick of things the next morning.  Cause life comes at us quick.