You can see it. You can hear it. You can smell it. It’s in the air.
Harvest.
We just got into the fields a couple of days ago.
And with this brings long, long days and endless service call for Kyle.
My boyfriend will become a figment of my imagination for the next several weeks.
Sigh, here we go again!
Here’s to harvest.
More posts and pictures to come.
The countdown has begun. The weeks are ticking down. Soon it will be here. Harvest. The corn and beans are still green enough they can’t be harvested but you can tell by them getting browner everyday that harvest is near. This is a bittersweet time of year. It’s great weather, perfect for being outside and having bonfires. But it’s SO busy. It makes for some long days, early mornings and late nights. And my boyfriend is basically nonexistent. Some days I don’t accept farming very gracefully. Sometimes I just want to spend time with Kyle without him having to leave on a service call or to drive a tractor/semi. It’s gets lonely, I won’t lie. Meals get delayed. And I get jealous of those girls who can go out to a dinner and movie with their boyfriend without delay, interruptions, or ending the night early. There’s a lot of nights were it’s just me & Jules (our dog) until pretty late. But I get over it, it’s just a part of life. No farmers = no food. I knew what I was getting into when I started dating Kyle, but some days that doesn’t make it any easier. You have to learn to be flexible, like really flexible.
Tips to Survive Harvest:
1. Find a hobby. Hello, blog.
2. Learn to be flexible. This is probably the most important.
3. Help out in the field or just ride around.
4. Spend time with family & friends.
5. Get a pet. Black labs make pretty good buddies.
6. Acceptance. This is happening whether you want it to or not.
7. Finish up those crafts and unfinished projects you have laying around.
8. Relax and have some “me” time. Catch up on that book or favorite TV show of yours.
9. Preparedness. Get things finished before harvest starts if you can, plan appointments, parties, etc. at slow times (I don’t think that really exists), make casseroles or cook-ahead freezer meals, and keep in mind what needs to get done other than fieldwork.
10. Take.a.deep.breath.
So you want to know what it’s like to date a farm boy?
Well here it is, the cold hard truth.
And my farm boy also happens to be a diesel mechanic.
Plans change every day. You’re going to have to be flexible. Very flexible.
There are no 8-5 jobs or 40 hours work weeks. It’s basically 24/7/365.
He’ll track dirt all over the kitchen floor & wash his greasy hands in the bathroom sink.
You’ll be recruited for parts runs, moving equipment, picking up & dropping people off at different fields, and moving trucks around.
They’ll say “what is that?” when you wear a new dress or blouse.
Be ready for some late nights and early mornings.
Carrying around sockets or wrenches in your purse will become totally normal.
You’ll have to get used to being home alone a lot.
They are still men, they are still human. They make mistakes, they’ll make you mad.
Supper will be delayed on a regular basis. You’ll starve until 9pm or eat by yourself.
On the somewhat rare occasion when you get dressed up and go out you may want to bring a set of normal clothes along because you’ll never know what the night will bring. And I don’t mean any sexual. I mean like pulling a friend’s truck out of the ditch and having to drag it home.
They think you look sexiest in your work clothes, not that expensive outfit you just bought.
His idea of a date is working on a truck in the shop.
If I haven’t scared you off yet, there are many great things about dating this type:
He’s a handyman. He can fix anything & everything
They’re manly. They aren’t prissy and aren’t afraid to get dirty.
Unlike most men they will try not to repeat past mistakes.
This life makes for some unique dates. Tractor ride, anyone?
They like to take care of their girl.
They are good with their hands.
He knows how to use all sorts of equipment.
They are traditionally loyal and protective.
They will teach you so much.
He’ll know how to make you laugh.
They’ll make you feel like you’ve never felt before.
Life in the country is best.
They aren’t afraid of putting down roots.
He’ll have muscles you can’t get anywhere but a farm.
There’s something sexy about working the land.
Most farmers want to keep the farm in the family. Thus, they want children.
He will work hard every single day of the year without complaint.
Fresh air, starry skies, and cornfields as far as you can see.
They will hold you closer and tighter and with more affection than any other man you’ve ever known.
Even though it’s not the easiest job in the world, I wouldn’t give up my country man for anything in the world.
I never planned on moving to a big city, so I’m not all that shocked that I ended up in the country. It is a little bizarre knowing that at age 20 I knew where I’d spend the rest of my life (not the same house, just location). Most 20 years old are partying; I was unpacking boxes and learning the ropes of a farm. But you know what? I was perfectly OK with that. I’ll admit though, it was pretty hard to move a half hour away from my house and family. It’s been almost three years since I started dating Kyle and a year since we moved to our acreage. The last year has been filled with adjustments, tractors, late nights & early mornings, and a little black lab-mix names Jules. This is our story. This is our journey. And now that we’ve been properly introduced, I hope you’ll follow along.
Lipstick & Tractors 