For those of us lucky enough to have a special sweetheart in our lives, Valentine’s Day prompts cherished reflections on the day we met our significant others. For me, this day always brings back heartwarming memories.
The Day We Met
I met my husband, Scott, of 21 years in a rather unexpected place: a sales area blanketed with wood shavings and brown Jersey cows being auctioned off. It was in Louisville, Kentucky, where Scott, a tall, dark, and handsome dairy farmer, was bidding on cows to take back to his farm in East Moline, Illinois. As cliché as it sounds, when his calloused yet gentle hands met mine during our formal introduction, we both instantly sensed that we had found true love.
The Journey to Togetherness
Scott often teases by saying, “I brought home more than just the cow,” when recounting our initial meeting. However, in reality, we didn’t start dating until almost 18 months later. At that time, we were separated by 500 miles of corn rows—as I was living in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, while Scott was milking cows and farming in northwest Illinois. Eventually, I changed jobs and moved states, knowing that to build a future together, we had to live in the same state.
Building a Family and Farm Together
Over the years, Scott and I have been blessed with three wonderful children, now aged 20, 18, and 14. Our farm has blossomed from a 90-cow operation to one with 750 milking cows and the cultivation of 1,500 acres. Our farm is not only where we work but also where we’ve built our family life. It was also the backdrop of our wedding on a hot June summer day, where family and friends gathered to celebrate our union.
So, on the most romantic day of the year, I feel no shame in revealing that I celebrate in the presence of the one I love, amidst the cows and acres that thread our family together. While our plans for Valentine’s Day might lack grandeur, the simplicity is overshadowed by a love that is unquestionably solid and steadfast. Our story is a testament to the beautiful journey of building a life together, amidst the fields we call home.
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