I married a country boy.
He likes wide-open spaces, John Deere tractors, loud pick-up trucks, hunting, working with his hands, waving at people as they drive by, and breathing in fresh hair.
So being an engineer doesn’t always seem to tickle his fancy. It’s a very corporate oriented job. There are no wide-open spaces and tractors involved. It’s about numbers, efficiency, and problem solving. I’m pretty sure he knew this when he majored in mechanical engineering – but the smart, technical, and driven side of him convinced the country boy side of him to do it anyway. And he likes it okay. It helps that he is competitive and good at it. But he can’t help but admit that he longs for the dirt roads and flannel shirts of country living.
And who did HE marry? Ahem…. While it’s true that my sweet country boy married a Texan – it is also true that he did not exactly marry “country”. Yes, I like country music. Yes, I like loud pick up trucks, eating steak, and waving at people as they drive by, but y’all let’s face it – I’m not exactly a back-woods kind of girl. I like taking bubble baths. I like fashion. I even like hip-hop. I don’t know if I would go to the extreme of calling myself a city girl – but I’m just not real red-neck.
You could sum it up this way: Growing up, while my husband was busy raising pigs, I was busy raising the roof in dance class.
Yep. That says it just right.
Here lately, with the economy weak and wobbly, we have been thinking a lot about what we would do if something happened to my hubby’s job and/or what we would like to be doing for the rest of our lives……. And where.
Do you see the potential problem here? You guessed it. The hubs would be happy living in a tiny cabin in the middle of no where far, far away from the big city – farming, waving, and wearing flannels. I would be happy living in a neighborhood, in the middle of a suburb, very close to shopping, and good radio stations – running, having play-dates, and wearing something leopard print.
Hmmmmm.
So as we discussed all this over the weekend – it was apparent that we might have to make a few compromises, to say the least. And it also became apparent that we needed to seek God’s will for our lives in it, too.
As I listened to my husband talk about his desires and dreams and as I listened to him pray over our lives and destinations….I realized a little something.
I realized that I would follow that man anywhere. I love him that much. I might be carrying a boom-box and an animal print purse – but I’d be there. And God? Yeah, I’d like to think that I would follow Him anywhere, too.
So sometime in my future – you might see me “with a basket full of chicken and a big old jug of sweet tea” thinking that my man’s “tractor is sexy.” And girls, as long as my husband is on it – I will.
Babe, I love you and I’m so blessed that I married a man who is strong enough to seek the Lord in every area of his life. Thank you for always wanting to do the right thing. Thank you for working so hard. Thank you for always being so honest and open about who you are. Thank you for being such a great God-fearing leader. And thank you for choosing me – despite the evidence. I really would follow you anywhere – and I’m blessed to do it. I will probably always like leopard print and hip hop music, but I’ll always love you. Seeking His will right along with you, Kate 🙂
I have an idea for a new source of income for you two … have hubby start farming some cotton while you start designing really cute (but modest!) clothes in animal print flannel.
Sign me up to buy the first top! 🙂
Ya know, Kate, there are parts of Texas that have both the country aspect and the playdates. While College Station is small for someone like me who has spent years living in the shadow of large cities, it still has Target, Gymboree, and Outback. And it's only an hour from Houston, and less than 2 hours from a mighty fine outlet mall. It's family-friendly and I would sure love a local friend who knows about Buckeyes! Plus you would get lots of those open-the-windows days from October to April. I'm just saying…
Wow Girl! I love your writings-they are from the heart!
Hang on to that man… 🙂
Bless you both!
I think you've made all of us love your husband. I know you are a precious gift to him–a wife who builds him up and extols his virtues publically.
My man thinks roughing it is a window unit, so I don't have to worry about us living out in the country. I'm the one who has a split personality. I'd love to either live in a farm house with a horse in the barn out back or in a city loft. Huh?! Maybe we'll win Publisher's Clearing House one day and have both!
Amy
How precious to read this post! I love your heart. I hear what you're saying about being a city girl. I was born and raised in New York.
But I love that you wrote how your man prayed to ask the Lord for direction. How fortunate that he is the spiritual leader in your home. God bless him for taking that position.
I'm sure that wherever you end up, in your heart you'll be content if it's God's will. I wouldn't want to be any other place, whether it's in the country or the city.
This is a great post.
Great, great post about who you are, your hubby, and the kind of heart you have for him. Sounds like a great marriage to me.
I would follow my handsome hubby anywhere, too. God has given us a deep, rich, special marriage that I treasure.
BTW, I grew up in the city and he grew up in the country. We have that in common. 🙂