Fifteen Years Ago…I Do

Fifteen years ago, I said I do to the man that has been a second rock during the ups and downs of the last fifteen years.

Brad and I met when I needed hay for my horses, and my supplier was out. I honestly couldn’t stand him that first day, and he says the feeling was mutual. Obviously a few things changed quite quickly.

A few weeks later, found my regular supplies still out of hay, and found Brad with plenty, so again, we planned to meet in a hay field to load up my truck. However, after not getting off work until late, and him having been in the hay field missing a meal or two, he called me and said to meet him in town. I was starving and so we ordered and sat down to eat before going out to the field. We actually visited and chatted for quite awhile. He said he needed to get some equipment moved before dark, and I had the afternoon free, and knew from being a farmer’s daughter that it was a need. So, we left his pick up at the joint and took off in mine, which fifteen years ago, was a really nice ride… Yeah, I tossed him the keys and off we went, practically inseparable sense…

Over the next several months after work, I would drive up and find him in a hay field and we would get things done. Over the winter we helped an older man with his cattle, and worked together…

Then…

I went to New York City for Christmas for two weeks. Those were the longest two weeks of my life. Within a week of being home we were engaged.

It was a whirlwind, as with me working and him farming, we knew we wanted to get married before summer…or at least one of us knew it would be better to get married before summer. So, we picked a date and kept on keeping on. I finished a couple of classes, cut my work schedule and worked more on the farm…mainly riding around hauling hay in his old truck…I mean OLD. Then we were married, while on our honeymoon, I got a job locally, and began working close to home. Still we are nearly inseparable, only homeschool events tend to take me off on little journeys every so often leaving him on the farm.

Over fifteen years we have thrived through trials and blessings. We have grown closer and closer and overcome challenges that would split many couples. Through it all, we see God’s hand in our lives, building us, molding us and pushing us to be His.

The picture below was taken a couple of years ago, by my sister Elaine. Fairly certain it is time to have her here for a visit, so we can get lots of pictures taken of our entire family.