Life as a "Farmers Wife"

I grew up in Preston, which really most people consider it a "Farm Town", you are surrounded by fields of hay, corn, and everything in between.  You would think that growing up around tractors being driven in fields, and smelly dairies that I would be somewhat familiar with a farm, but nope, I had absolutely no idea what a farm was until I met Collin.

I remember writing my autobiography when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I wrote about all the pets we had, (horses, goats, cats, dogs, bunnies, a chameleon, ducks) you name it we had it! I remember specifically saying that I lived on a farm. Little did I know, feeding your horses some hay with a pitch fork is most definitely NOT a farm.

I guess you could call me a "city slicker".  Not that I didn't know how to get dirty, because I did! I loved four-wheeler rides, camping, and a good mud pie growing up. With that being said, I surely had no idea what a farm life was like.

I was always the girl that loved shopping, getting a pedicure, having my hair done, wearing make up, laying out to get a tan, and pretty much every girly thing there is. I was definitely not the "farm girl" made "Perfectly" for Collin.

I remember when we were dating and the first time I went out to the dairy with him I wore some fancy pants and a nice shirt and i'm pretty sure I even curled my hair to go with him. He took one look at me and said "You're not wearing that out there, are you?" He ended up taking me to his house and making me change into some of their work clothes. I was so embarrassed because the pants he gave me were so big on me they made my butt sag so bad! I didn't understand why he was making me change.

Sure enough we got to the barn and it all started to make sense. The manure splashing up onto my legs, the awful smell, and the flies! I had no idea that this is where milk came from. I remember telling him that too. And asking him how many people he thought would still drink milk if they knew where it came from. Of course he told me that most people probably know a lot more about it than I did.

Yes, it is pretty hysterical to picture me all dolled up to go to the barn now that I think about it. I'm sure some of the questions I asked Collin were the dumbest things he has ever heard, but I will say that I have came a long ways! I still find it the most amazing thing that cows have bangs! Yes you heard me right, they have bangs! Look closely, they are the cutest things ever!

I can scrape the manure pit with the skid steer by myself, I can haul hay with dump trucks, feed calves, and even drive some of their tractors! Looking back it is hard to believe that the farm was never part of my life. I have learned many things from being married to Col.

Including, but definitely not limited to:

1. Don't ever ask what time they will be home. it won't do any good because something always comes up unexpectedly, or something goes wrong! It does no good because even if you do get an answer out of them, it isn't usually accurate at all. ;) 

2. I will never be as tan as Collin. I have finally accepted this one. It just won't ever happen. Therefore I will always look like a pale white ghost next to him.

3. Always Always kiss goodbye when he is going to work! I'm pretty sure this is my paranoid side of me coming out, but i have heard way too many farming/tractor accidents that I get so worried about him! Sometimes I go a different way to work just to make sure his tractor is still making rounds. I know I'm a freak! 

4. Don't make dinner too early or else it will be sitting waiting for him forever. Don't make dinner too late or else he'll come home before you expected and be starving and want food. I still haven't perfected this one because it is so unpredictable. 

5. Date nights often consist of riding along in the tractor doing fieldwork during the summer. Seriously my favorite thing ever!

I have so much respect for the farmer now. They are truly some of the hardest workers out there. Their dedication to their crops is something that is truly admirable. Sure sometimes it is hard to always have a sleepy husband, rarely get to make plans during the evenings because you know there is always pipe to move,  it's really not always easy. Needless to say, I am LUCKY to be married to such a devoted man who puts in more hours during the summer months than I probably do all year. I never in a million years would have pictured myself married to a farm boy, but man am I glad that I am, I wouldn't change it for anything.