"An Adventure of the Heart"

The true test of our bond came when Josh brought up the topic of diamonds. He showed me a site that beckoned with a pledge - Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. "You keep what you find," he stated, his eyes filled with excitement. Interested, I studied the images of a large, plowed field, and the descriptions mentioned messiness, mud, and hard work. The accompanying photos showcased people decorated in rubber gloves, sun hats, and tough boots, all set for the experience of a lifetime.

Our adventure began on a night, coming to the website after dark and establishing our tent under the faint radiance of our headlights. The pursuit of fortune awaited us as the sun rose. While Josh rented sorting screens, I delved into a park sales brochure, studying the before-and-after pictures of the stones. The raw gems resembled little hardened chewing gum, however after they were polished, they shone like shards of glass. Diamonds, the text explained, could be clear, yellow, or even the rich brown hue of a beer bottle. I marveled at the possibility of a Budweiser glass dot embedded in a golden band adorning my hand.

In the early days of our love story, Josh gifted me a lively ruby-red Ring Pop on our very first Valentine's Day. With a sparkle in his eyes, he asked if I'd like to go steady. Little did I know that this sweet gesture would mark the beginning of a journey that would expose the true depth of our dedication.

As Josh thoroughly looked into the gear we'd need, we packed canvas work gloves, trowels, spades, shovels, and buckets. It felt as though we were preparing for an exploration into the unknown, bracing ourselves for a tiresome journey. I couldn't assist but voice my reservations. "I'm uncertain about this," I confessed, "I prefer getaways that do not require you to bring your own shovel."

However, after an hour and 4 containers of dirt later, I discovered myself yearning for the romantic vision I had actually kept in my mind-- Josh on one knee, presenting me with a spectacular diamond, a symbol of our love. It was a dream that appeared to be slipping away. I reluctantly set aside my trowel and picked up my book. "Are you giving up?" Josh asked, positioning an empty container next to me. I sighed, "Yes, however, feel free to keep digging if you 'd like." I turned a page in my book and resigned.

We could have invested the afternoon like that, with Josh digging and me engrossed in the pages of my book, but nature had other plans. The rain started to fall, interrupting our mission. Quickly, I collected our equipment as Josh continued to shovel muddy soil into our buckets. "What are you doing? It's raining," I questioned, issue etched on my face. "We'll take it home with us," Josh responded, his decision unwavering. The rain had actually changed the dirt into heavy mud.

As our love blossomed over 3 unbelievable years, I discovered myself collecting a collection of these wonderful candy Ring Pops, every one representing a valued memory we had actually created together. While love books and films proclaimed the virtues of diamonds as symbols of love, I appreciate that there was something uniquely captivating about a ring that might likewise please your craving for sweets.

Yet, regardless of my initial doubts, the attraction of discovering an authentic diamond in our experience beckoned me. Just days before our departure, I came across a news article about a young man who had discovered a significant diamond at the park. He had been there with a church youth group and came across the valuable gem while playfully kicking at a loose clump of earth.

Venturing onto the sprawling 37 1/2 acre field of dirt, Josh shouldered 2 plastic five-gallon pails, a shovel, and the leased screens. I brought a hand trowel, a bottle of water, and the book I had actually been reading before our journey started. My obligation was to fill one of the five-gallon containers with dirt, and Josh would take it to the trough for cleaning.

As we packed up our moist camping tent and headed for the house, I could not help but question the mud-filled containers. "What are you going to make with that mud?" I asked, my interest piqued. Josh squeezed my hand carefully and smiled, "I'll sort through it; there might be something valuable, you know." With a warm sensation in my heart, I reacted, "Yes," placing my hand in his, "And you keep what you find." Our experience had actually not discovered a diamond, however, it had exposed the priceless gem of our unwavering love and commitment to one another.