Well I cannot believe this year is almost over. When I look back at when I started this year, I would have never in my wildest dreams imagined myself where I am today. Right now. (Does this sound familiar…?)
Last year I couldn’t believe I rung in the New Year as a single woman, for the first time in five years, alongside my family and friends in California. And now, here I sit at my desk in North Dakota, looking out the window to a snowy winter wonderland, planning a New Year’s Eve party for some of my new family and close friends, with a sparkly ring on my finger and in the midst of planning a wedding. Talk about a 180. As the year 2012 comes to a close and the year 2013 begins the year I will have survived my first North Dakota winter, I will have lived in North Dakota for a year, and most importantly, I will become Mrs. Sunflowerfarmer.
And despite the fact that I am living it everyday, it still leaves me wondering… How did this happen…? How does a girl from California end up marrying a farmer from North Dakota. Well, I’m still not entirely sure. Maybe it was his kind eyes, maybe it was his contagious smile, or maybe it was a whole lot more than that. Whatever it was, there’s no denying the fact that I wouldn’t change it. For anything in this world. Even from the very beginning, whether I was aware of it or not, there was this feeling. Deep down inside me. A feeling of familiarity, comfort, and basically everything just coming natural. Nothing was ever forced… And when people ask me how did this happen…? Well, it just kind of…. happened. I don’t know how else to explain it.
It started with a tweet, than a series of phone calls and video chats.. Ultimately leading to a vacation that will forever be engraved in our memories or the first time we had ever met, in person. This eventually led to my first trip to North Dakota, where I ended up falling in love with the land, the people, and the culture. And it was because of that blogpost that my face, newly dyed red hair and all, ended up gracing the FRONT PAGE of the local newspaper in our small town of Ashley, North Dakota (population 800). It felt like I was dreaming or watching an epic love story unfold on film… was this really happening to me? But I had to return back to reality: my life in California. And it was then that I did some serious soul searching. Really asking myself, is this for me…? This life, this farmer, this man… Can I do this…? And all answers no matter how crazy they seemed, pointed to yes. So I made the decision to follow my heart, take the leap, and eventually announced it to everyone that I was moving. That epic blogpost still holds my record for views/day on this blog.
I spent half of this year in California and the other half in North Dakota. I wish I could chronicle 2012 in one blog post but I simply can’t.. Going from a melting pot of 120,000 people to a town of 800 people which are made up of 70% German heritage, needless to say, was somewhat of a culture shock. Going from the land of Agricultural paradise to the rural prairies of North Dakota has posed some challenges when it comes to culinary creativity. And my first experiences farming… Where do I even begin? I experienced my first planting, spraying, and harvest. I learned more than I even imaged I would about farming. And there is still so much to learn. I helped build a business from the ground up, literally. And 2013 will mark the year we officially move into that building. This year has been so full it doesn’t even feel like it’s only been one year. Was the first time my farmer stepped off that plane and we met face to face for the first time really only a year ago…?
I guess time flies when you are having fun. And let me tell you, this year has been the time of my life. I thank God on a weekly basis for giving me the confidence to follow my heart, for giving me the strength to take the leap, and for the blessings he’s brought into my life this year. My farmer, his family, our home, our business… The blessings are endless. We realize that 2012 will always hold the memories we made in it. I am deeming 2012 the year of love (and for more than just us!) It will forever be the year we met face to face, fell in love, and started our lives, together. It will forever be the year where my farmer got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. It will forever be the year Maverick Ag was born and built from the ground up. It will forever be the year I left California, my job, and most of my family and moved to North Dakota. And the best part…? 2013 will hold it’s own set of memories. I am beyond excited to welcome in this new year and all that it brings.
So as the eve of this new year begins, I’d like to send my love out to those of you who were there beside me in this exciting year. And those of you who reassured me, constantly, that I was going to be okay living in North Dakota. And that I would make it through winter.. THANK YOU! Thank you to those of you who shared your stories with me about being lonely farm wives, and dealing with some of the more uncommon problems farm wives go through. My family, my friends, my twitter-verse, my blog readers…. You all are amazing. You keep me inspired to write to you, for you. So thank you for reading and following along with my adventure that is life.
Last year I spoke the words, “here’s to 2012 blowing 2011 out of the water!” And boy did it. So here’s to 2013 blowing 2012 out of the water! After this year, I believe with my whole heart that anything is possible…. Whether it be love between two strangers who live worlds apart, whether it be dreaming up an idea and making it come to life, or whether it being something simple as finding friends in people whom you’ve never met in person. Afterall, my farmer and I are both living proof these things do happen to ordinary everyday people.
There is a whole world full of possibilities out there. Never stop believing, loving with your whole heart, and not being afraid to take the leap! So Tonight my farmer and I will toast our glasses of Pendleton whisky to all of you and most importantly, to love and never being afraid to follow your heart! Happy New Year friends!!
Related articles
adorable….lovely pictures…and many congratulations!!!
Author
Thanks so much! It’s been a heck of a year that’s for sure! 🙂