Ammon was at Scout Camp with a Friend, Matt and Aaron were at youth conference, and Amalie was at Sunsplash with a friend so I decided that Zoie and I would go on a date. I told her that we could do anything she wanted and gave her several suggestions...bowling, mini golf, shopping, dinner, dessert, etc. Needless to say, when she suggested we go to the temple for a picnic, it made me a proud mother. When everyone else was gone, we packed a picnic basket and set off. She was so excited and beamed the whole way, asking questions and telling me how special she was feeling. When we got there, she wanted to pick the perfect spot on the grass to lay out our blanket and set out dinner. I of course wanted to remember the moment and brought out my iPad (the only camera I had) to take a few pictures...after just two pictures, she asked me to put my iPad away because she did not want any electronics ruining our date, that this was an electronics free night. We talked and laughed and several times she mentioned how good the temple made her feel, that it was peaceful and that she just felt like smiling. When we finished eating, we went for a walk around the temple and she peeked in the windows of the front doors of the temple and splashed in the fountain a bit. She asked more questions as we walked and was just so excited to be there. We took our time, smelling flowers and trees, and then headed back to our blanket to clean up. On our way home, we sang patriotic and primary songs (at her insistence) and then stopped for frozen yogurt before heading home. At the conclusion of our date, Zoie asked if we could do the same thing on her birthday but with the whole family. To be honest, I can't think of a better way to spend a birthday and if she wants to go to the temple, I will definitely encourage it. I love my Zoie and am so proud of her. She truly is the peacemaker in our home and is so sensitive to the spirit. She has a desire to do good and to help others and I hope and pray that she keeps that desire for the rest of her life, because true happiness comes from serving and helping those around you.
