Ten Things I've Learned While Being Married to a Farmer:

I grew up on a farm. My family has farmed for generation after generation! I thought for sure that I already knew everything I needed to about marrying a farmer. I thought that since I have been a farmers daughter, I was set! Boy was I wrong! 

While being married to a farmer has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, it is also one of the most challenging. 

I wanted to make a list for all the ladies out there who are either getting married to your own farmer or just wanting to see what it is like in the life of a farmers wife! 
(this list is in no particular order)

1. Don't take anything he says while sorting cattle or fixing equipment to heart. He really does NOT mean it. It is easy to have a short fuse when you are frustrated. Let him take care of it, cool off for a little bit, and then he will be back to normal. 

2. Really appreciate date nights. Your husband is not like normal husbands. He does not have a set schedule. It changes so quickly! If he makes time for date nights soak it in because you don't know if that is going to be your last one for awhile, and he is making a huge sacrifice leaving all the work that needs to be done. Some of my favorite date nights have been spent in the tractor. 

3. Be flexible with dinner. Some nights he will come home at 6 ready to eat and some nights he wont make it home until midnight. Sometimes you'll have to run him out something to eat because a storm is coming and he can't come home until the job is done. With a little bit of planning and communication this really is not too bad. 

4. Time spent together is time well spent. I LOVE it when my husband asks me to come to work with him for the day. Being able to work together is my favorite thing. You'll learn very quickly why your husband is always so tired when he gets home at the end of the day. 

5. Get some good stain remover. You may think you've seen dirty laundry but just you wait until you see a farmers laundry. After a long days work you are going to need some serious laundry supplies. I remember when we first got married I was shocked by how dirty he would get throughout the day. He works hard, and his clothes do too!

6.Get use to the muddy footprints across your kitchen floor. When your husband needs something to drink or needs to grab something really quick, he does not have time to take his boots off. I would get so upset when I would spend days and days cleaning and mopping the floors only for him to run in and make them a mess again in five seconds! I've learned to just get use to it and clean it as it happens. No big deal. 

7.If you think you worry now, just wait until you get the phone call or text saying that he got rammed into a fence by an angry bull, something fell on him while working on the tractors or combines, or that he's gotta work all night. I can never get a good nights sleep while he is out farming all night. What if he falls asleep?! What if something breaks down!? 

8. Be prepared to be asked to go on A LOT of parts runs. They don't have time to go to town and get it themselves so then it is your job. You need to be quick and make sure you get the right part.. (speaking from personal experience here).

9. Rain can either be a huge blessing, or a huge inconvenience. When your hay is down and you are waiting for it to dry out, rain is bad. When you are trying to get your crops to grow, rain is great! Some days rain means that you will be able to actually spend time with your hubby! 

10. BE PATIENT! Your husband works hard. He puts in some serious hours. He is doing this for you and your family (or future family). Love him, support him, and do all you can to make him a happy farmer and he will do all he can to make you happy!