After weathering so many ups and downs throughout her career, Mariah Carey has never seemed more at peace. Strolling into a Brazilian restaurant in New York City for an exclusive interview with In Touch, Mariah is nothing like the diva she’s perceived to be. The Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter looks gorgeous, wearing little makeup and dressed casually in black pants, a black shirt and big black belt. Usually guarded about her love life, this time, she’s brought along her husband, Nick Cannon. “I love where I am in life right now,” Mariah, 39, tells In Touch as she sips on a glass of cabernet. And why shouldn’t she? She’s got a man who writes her love notes each morning, even after a year-and-a-half of marriage. She’s got a highly anticipated new album, which dropped September 29. She is getting Oscar buzz for her gritty role in the upcoming movie Precious. And she and Nick definitely want to start a family! Over dinner, the couple opened up to In Touch about their solid marriage, having a baby and more.

For the full interview with Mariah and Nick, check out this week’s issue of In Touch, on newsstands now!