Growing up in a small town, you always tend to know at least a few farmers. I had no idea how much just one could truly change my life. Over the course of seven years, my best friend has taught me more about farms and life than I could ever imagine. Here are seven of the most important things she has taught me, one for each year of our wonderful friendship.
1. I have learned to love the sweet smell of farm.
Before I met her, I didn’t think farms could smell good. Now whenever I smell that particular smell (and if you know a person who lives on a farm, you know what smell I’m talking about), I automatically connect it to her. Even when I’m three hours away, I still wish it is her that is carrying around the smell.
2. I have learned to not complain about the cold too much.
On winter mornings, I would be tucked away in a nice cozy blanket in the warmth of a house, complaining of the cold. I learned very quickly after I met my friend to not complain about this. She would be out milking cows in the bitter cold while I was inside. Big difference. I mean, I still complain, but now I have a soft spot for those who have to be outside in it.
3. I have learned that sleeping in on a Saturday is a very precious thing.
I can sleep for hours on end on Saturday mornings, while my best friend would be up at god knows what hour of the morning. She would Snapchat me a picture of her waking up, and once in a great while, I would only be going to sleep an hour before it was sent. Sleep is a very precious thing.
4. I have learned to love big animals.
I live in the middle of a small town. I have a rabbit and a dog, which is as big of a pet as I will probably ever have. Now don’t get me wrong. I love big animals, and I had seen them in person before. I just didn’t love or appreciate them. She has taught me to love big animals, particularly cows. I now see them as very large dogs, and I am not afraid of them, which is a lot to say for a “city girl.”
5. I have learned to love my family more.
She lives on a small family-owned farm where everyone pulls their own weight. I have seen her work with her family, and it is amazing because they all get along—most of the time—and have fun doing it. My sister and I would end up arguing about who has to do what and complain a lot. But these people work together a lot more than your typical family, and still want to spend time together. They make me see how important family is.
6. I have learned to be more patient.
Now this is going to sound strange as to how I learned this, but it was because of the cows. I took a cow to the fair this past year, and it was a very different experience to say the least. I loved every minute of it, but cows can be a pain in the a**. I had to learn how to walk a cow. I mean, I could barely walk a dog the right way. How was I supposed to be able to walk a cow? After multiple times walking her, it had gotten better. And it took a lot of practice, but we made it through. I thought this cow was going to be the end of my cow-showing career, but the whole process actually made me more patient.
7. I have learned what hard work is.
She is the poster child for hard work. I honestly don’t know how she does it. She will tell me what she had to do for chores in one day, and it would be 10 times harder than what I ever had to do. She deserves an immense amount of credit for all that she does. She will work her butt off and still want to do things with me that day.
At the end of the day, she has taught me much more than just these things, but these are the things I have learned because of where she comes from. I am beyond grateful for these and her.
