Most of my best memories come from some old dirt road

One of my most favorite things to do with Tarl is ride. Get your mind out of the gutter people, I mean actually riding, in his truck, down the back roads. Some of our most favorite date nights together are the ones where we will have a nice dinner, then ride around afterwords. We reminisce on old times, discuss our plans for the future and simply take in the moment with each other.

Last night after dropping Cadence off at VBS, we went and ate dinner at our local pizza place then took an hour drive down the back roads with the windows down taking in the views. I took pictures along the way and thought I'd share some of them to journal them on the blog as a memory that I will forever hold in my heart.

My dad was always a very strict man. He didn't want me dating until I was 18, it got moved to 16 after I found out that both of my older sisters were allowed to date at that age and mom scolded him that it was only fair that he give me the same rules. Boys were allowed to come over, but we were never allowed to go out, just the two of us and dad always had to be present. I met Tarl when I was 15. Not long after we met he first rode over to "meet the parents". He and dad hit it off from the get go because unknown to both Tarl and I, his Grandaddy (may he rest in peace) was a great friend of my dads. Tarl and dad talked for hours about the times that my dad and his grandad shared. We all had a mix of emotions from laughing to almost tears talking about this sweet man that I unfortunately never had the pleasure of meeting. I've heard countless stories both from my dad and Tarl and although I never had the pleasure of meeting his grandfather, I like to think he had a hand in bringing us together. Dad allowed Tarl to take me out to dinner the following week, just the two of us :)

I love this man. I cannot tell y'all enough how blessed I am that the Lord chose him for me. His mom and dad raised him right. Thank you to both of them for raising the man of my dreams.

We were riding down the roads as the sun was setting, the view was stunning!

Blurry, but one of my favorites!

The road was private so we didn't ride down it, but I loved the sign and naturally had to snap a pic! 

Here in SC, it sure is, almost Heaven...

After seeing this sign two songs came to mind and of course I immediately had to listen to them both. Coincidentally they are both by Jake Owen, but it's the words in each song that I dearly love, the fact that he sings it is just icing on top of the cake.

If you have time to listen to the song, Heaven:

If not, here are the lyrics:

There's a place that they call "Heaven"
Just south of town way up on a hill
They say you can see for miles
When the sun goes down, time stands still

No I've never been up to "Heaven"
But I've always wanted to go
It's ten miles down highway eleven
And ten more minutes up the old dirt road

Well hey baby I was hoping
Maybe you'd feel like taking a drive
Cause I can take you on a trip to "Heaven"
And have you back by tonight

Well there's a store on the way to "Heaven"
They oughta have everything we need
A bag of ice, a six pack of something
And a few dollars worth of gasoline

Oh I've heard that it's perfect
So what do you say we see if they're right
Well I can take you on a trip to "Heaven"
And have you back by tonight

There's a place that they call "Heaven"
Just south of town way up on a hill
They say you can see for miles
When the sun goes down, time stands still

Last night truly was a little piece of Heaven. I love my sweet girl and wouldn't trade her for the world, but quality time with Tarl is also priceless to me.

The second song, and my most favorite is called Journey of Your Life. When I first heard this song tears streamed down my face because the words rang so true. It's also where the slogan on my blog came from, "may the simple things be amazing."

Each time I hear this song it makes me think of Tarl's grandfather. From the stories I've heard and the memories that Tarl relives by telling them, he seemed like such a noble, fun loving, kind hearted man. It saddens me that Cadence will never know her great-grandfather, but I know that her dad's stories about him will have an impact on her life like it has with mine.

Well he was old school in overalls
Tough as nails as I recall
He fought a war and came back home
Honest as the day was long
And right before my grandpa died he looked me right straight in the eyes
Said here's some words to get you by
To help you on the journey of your life

You'll need a hero
And a good dog
Especially a good dog
A hammer and a handsaw
Bandaid now and then
You'll need a home to come home to
Son we all need a refuge
On the straight and narrow path
You need to learn to bend
Get a good square and keep it level
Have grace to face the devil
You need an angel flying by your side
On the journey of your life

Ride the wind 'til we meet again
On the other side of life
You'll need some good luck and a Bible
Especially a Bible
A lot of faith in god above
And a woman you can love
You'll need a good song that you can sing on
And a shoulder you can lean on
And you gotta draw the line sometimes when push comes to shove
You'll need to lose some to be a winner
Have courage to surrender you'll need to
Laugh a lot and keep it light
On the journey of your life

And no matter what dreams you're chasing
Never get above your raising
May the simple things be amazing
On the journey of your life

He said I'll be the angel flying by your side
On the journey of your life

Ever since I heard this song a couple years ago that one phrase has stayed with me. May the simple things be amazing, wow! It's so significant, isn't it? Think about all the amazing times in your life. The ones that are most special to you. I bet 9 out of 10 are simple things, am I right?

I will definitely get that phrase tattoo'd on me, just unsure of the place right now, but one day!

xo

May the simple things be amazing...