Chasing Views: Small Towns

One of my favorite Chasing Views Date Days so far this year took us on a fun little drive down to Landrum, SC — and let me just say… this tiny town is entirely too cute for its own good.

Main Street is lined with thrift stores, antique treasures, vintage finds, and one restaurant where people were literally lining up at the door at 5pm. That’s when you know it’s good.

There’s something about a small town with mountain views that just slows you down. We wandered in and out of shops, laughed at things we absolutely did not need (but definitely considered), and just enjoyed being together without an agenda.

Because that’s really what date nights are about — not impressing anyone, not fixing problems, not solving the world — just being present.

Here are a few of my favorite stops:

• Steps to Hope Barn

• Savvy Scavengers Antique Mall

• Dogwood Market

• Vintage Corner

• Hare and the Hound

  
  
  

The mountains were beautiful, but honestly, my favorite view was sitting across the table from Andy. (Yes, I’m that girl. And yes, he rolled his eyes when I said that.)

Chasing Views is About More Than Scenery

This year, we’re intentionally “chasing views.” Not just scenic overlooks and charming towns — but perspective.

Marriage gets busy. Life gets messy. Schedules fill up. And if we’re not careful, we stop seeing each other clearly.

Date nights are how we refocus.

They’re where we remember:

• Why we chose each other

• What God has brought us through

• Where we’re dreaming of going next

And sometimes they’re just about laughing until your stomach hurts over something completely unhinged that no one else would understand.

Marriage isn’t sustained by perfection. It’s sustained by intentional connection — and a whole lot of grace.

Make the Drive (or Dinner) Fun

One of my favorite parts of our date days is asking fun, lighthearted questions — either on the drive or over dinner.

You may think you know everything about your spouse… but trust me, creativity always finds new ground.

Here are a few to get you started:

• What’s been the best part of your day?

• What song do you KNOW every word to but wish you didn’t?

• What’s something you’re 98% sure you’re bad at but keep trying?

• What’s the most unhinged thing we’ve laughed at together?

• If we swapped lives for one day, what’s the first thing you’d panic about?

• Name 3 foods you’d eat if calories didn’t exist.

• What inside joke still makes you laugh every time?

• What memory of us should absolutely be turned into a movie scene?

• If we wrote a book about our marriage, what would the title be?

(If ours were a book, I’m not entirely sure it would be categorized under “Romance.” It might land somewhere between “Adventure,” “Comedy,” and “Lord Help Us.”)

A Little Faith Encouragement

Here’s what I’m learning:

God doesn’t just meet us in the big moments — He’s in the small-town drives, the shared desserts, the laughter in the car, and the quiet conversations about the future.

When we invest in our marriage, we are stewarding one of the greatest gifts He has given us.

Chasing views is really about chasing perspective — choosing to see your spouse with fresh gratitude instead of familiarity. Choosing grace over criticism. Choosing joy over distraction.

And sometimes, choosing to drive an hour for antique stores and mountain air because it just sounds fun.

We’ll be sharing a new Chasing Views Date Night each week this year — simple, intentional, and full of laughter.

If you love marriage, ministry, and a little messiness in between (and TJ Maxx), I’d love for you to follow along.

Stick around, subscribe, and join me as we chase views — scenic ones, spiritual ones, and everything in between.

And next time you plan a date? Don’t overthink it.

Just grab your person… and maybe a cupcake. 🧁💛