Young Love
I stumbled across this picture the other day and with this, so many emotions unexpectedly surfaced. I realized this picture was taken over ten years ago. My life then was so carefree. I was naïve and simply young. My world consisted frankly of work and seeing my family 3-4 times a week. Lance was working at Bethel University, the place that had his heart for so many years. He graduated here with a history degree. He was able to continue this venture and make so many great friendships at his then workplace. I was working as a preschool teacher at a daycare.
I remember asking Lance when we first matched on Eharmony in February of 2014 (we talked for a month over email and text before meeting in person.) I asked him if he ever wanted to move back to North Dakota. As many of you already know from previous posts his answer was “NO, I do not plan to go back there at all.” I, after hearing this was pleased and excited to be able to continue our relationship since I was not moving to North Dakota ever! HAHA! My family is pretty big and very tight knit. We spend lots of time together, so at the time this was a non negotiable for me.
Jokes on me, after having our son and working as a para professional, I was wanting to be home with him. After much prayer and presenting this idea to Lance, we made the leap to move to ND.
This girl, I was 25 years old and so foreign to hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Also, really anything ranch (Farm Animal) related. I knew I loved animals, but that was the extent of it really. Lance and I were newly engaged and our life together was just getting started. We had no idea just 4 short years later we would have a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn. We would be moving away from the the job Lance loved and my entire family. We were asked over and over again if we will be coming back to MN and the life once had. Truthfully, this is the life we desire, the life we truly love and believe in.
I have come so far in these last 5 years since moving here. I really should say we have (both Lance and I). Our operation today looks nothing like the operation we first dreamed it would be. Owning a business is hard, as many of you know. Its draining and the reward isn’t always there right away. Animals die, tractors quit, rain pours, but we still keep pushing. Praying and believing God has us here for a reason! There are so many growing pains, questions and uncertainties. There are still hard days, but we stick it out. This is the life we hope to one day pass down to our children. Hard work, dedication and love. ALL FOR HIS GLORY!
