I will admit that when I moved to Iowa City from Colorado 5 years ago, I was less than thrilled about it. Why would anyone want to live in Iowa? It was cold in the winter and humid and hot in the summer and it took me much too long to warm up to it. But I did. And then, just like that, our 4 years there were over, and we were in a moving van headed to Columbus. That 4 years that I had thought would drag by passed in a blink, and it took being gone to make me realize how good we had it in Iowa.

Last week we loaded up the car and made the drive back to our old home to attend the wedding of my childhood friend.  Evan was thrilled. The whole car ride he kept saying “Iowa! Just like where I was born!” And we told him about our old house, and our favorite apple orchard, and all the other things that had made up our lives for 4 years. I suddenly felt homesick for a place I had been reluctant to call home. I suppose it isn’t too surprising though- Iowa City is where we had our first home as husband and wife, where our first baby was born. Where we learned so much about being a family of our own.

Leaving Iowa had been a blur of selling our house, packing, saying goodbyes to friends, and then diving head first in to life here in Columbus. And did I mention I was 30 weeks pregnant when we moved? I never gave myself a chance to think about all that I would miss. As I watched the miles of interstate pass under our tires, I thought about my old home.  About rocking Evan in his nursery that I had painted just for him. About cooking his birthday cake in the oven that I had picked out. I thought about where I had been when I received the call that my Papa had passed away. I thought about all our old friends, and the countless barbecues and picnics we had shared. I thought of all the little places and things that had been woven in to the fabric of my life just by being there. And then, like that- we were home.

Our first stop was to Wilson’s Orchard, for apple turnovers and of course- apples. We were a little early in the season, but it didn’t matter. Evan had been too young to really understand apple picking the last time we were there, and my heart was just so full watching him explore the orchard. I think he knew he was home too.

It was Wes’ first visit to the orchard, and to Iowa. It is safe to say he took to it right away!

This picture is part of my 52 Weeks Project.

After the orchard, we headed to another favorite place- Isaac’s Creamery- for some ice cream and giggles. These just might be some of my favorite pictures of Evan, ever!

We have decided that we are going to make a yearly trip to Iowa to visit all of our favorite places. Without knowing it, I left a part of  my heart there- and being back just gave me a sense of peace I haven’t had in awhile. I will always be a Colorado girl, but I am proud to have Iowa City and Columbus on my life’s passport.