Earlier this year, I met a girl named Myra. Because Des Moines can feel very small at times, I knew about her from her work at Proof and it turns out she’s my brother’s girlfriend’s cousin. I was excited to grab lunch with her after I learned that she and her fiance were heading to Ireland to get married and then settling into life in Prague soon after. It’s not everyday you meet people your age doing things like this! Learn more about their story & journey here (from Myra’s lens).
Tell us how you two met.
Well, like most good stories, ours started over alcohol. I lived in the Arlington Apartments for a year before I ever worked up the courage to step foot into Proof, the restaurant directly below my place. Every walk by, I lusted over the dance studio-esque space full of beautiful people and food and the day I finally crossed the threshold, was welcomed by Josh behind the bar. We worked together for three months before deciding we’d make great roommates, and lived together platonically for a year before deciding we’d make great partners.
What do you both do to make a living?
I am a freelance food writer and graphic designer as well as a barkeep. I’m happiest when constructing clever ways to talk about perfecting french macaroons or constructing a cocktail. You can find Josh behind the bar too, but his career is more focused on wine. He’s happiest at wine tastings and researching obscure grapes and production methods.
Tell us when and how you decided to leave Des Moines.
Being paid in the euro had always been a dream of mine, but one I kept putting off for one pathetic reason or another. One night I broke down crying to Josh about how unhappy I was with myself for not pursuing my dream more diligently. I’d had my eye on a particular program in Prague for months but hadn’t taken the plunge. The next morning, Josh woke me up to a big steamy cup of coffee and a confirmation email from the program – he had signed me up for the program! Our bedsheets still have a coffee stain from me jumping up and hugging him. 🙂
Photo by Tory Hallenburg
What will you be doing in Prague?
I will be teaching English as a second language, ideally at the high school level. Josh will continue studying wine and is in the midst of putting together a business plan to distribute American wines in Europe.
What are you most excited about?
Living minimally. We’ve worked really hard to strip our lives down to the basics over this last year but somehow still find ourselves surrounding by a lot of… stuff. Shedding it will be liberating and allow us to focus on the things that really matter.
How will you stay connected to friends & family in Iowa?
We have plans to transform our wedding website into a blog once the wedding has wrapped up.
What has been the most challenging part of deciding to leave?
Honestly, leaving in the middle of Des Moines’ renaissance. There are so many ways to make an impact on this city and leaving it for a place with some serious anonymity will be a difficult transition, but if/when we come back, we’ll only be better prepared to make moves. Also, whittling my shoe collection down. 😉
Do you think you’ll come back?
The question of the year! We’ll be back to visit (Josh is officiating a wedding next summer), but as far as permanent moves, only time will tell.
Follow Myra and Josh on Instagram to keep up with their journey! Want to be featured in a blog? Reach out to us in our contact form. We’d love to learn more about you!