I am a city slicker at heart. I love shopping and sipping frappuccinos and strolling down a street wearing cute, yet uncomfortable, shoes. But I got swept up off my feet almost seven years ago by a farmer and he has held me hostage on an apple orchard with a panoramic lake view ever since. I love the property and the beauty of the land. I just hate the work. Manual labour makes me die a little inside. And farming happens to involve a lot of manual labour. I know Steve would love it if I strapped on some overalls and tossed Avelyn in a hiking backpack carrier so I could prune the apple trees all day. But then I wouldn’t just die a little inside; I would die utterly and completely, and he knows it. He has been gracious and understanding and has been supportive of my other jobs, knowing that I am much happier sitting behind an office desk, talking to people, designing desktop publications, and being a happy little administrative assistant. And he also is supportive of my devotion to being a full-time mom now, even though he wishes that he were the one taking Avelyn to the park and the beach every day.
Basically, he’s a great man and a great farmer. I wish I could be the hick of a wife he dreams of, but I wish that he liked to loiter in coffee shops and go to plays at the theater, so we’re both giving a little and taking a little. Meaning, once every five years I pick and apple (and whine about it) and once every five years he takes me to a play (and whines about it). It works, OK?
That being said, I sure do love to see Avelyn running through the rows of apples, happy to be a part of the farm. She likes to help Steve in the orchard, she’ll gladly sit on the tractor for an hour, and she is happiest when she’s digging in the dirt of the land.
There’s hope for an heir, after all.
18 Comments
She’s getting more and more beautiful. I can’t believe how big she’s gotten in the year I’ve been reading you.
Beautiful, Amanda.
I know we talked at length about it all today, but you summed it up so beautifully here.
And that last photo?
Beautiful.
loved this post! loved the pictures…loved how similar our “love” stories are! not that we live on a farm…but my husband and i couldn’t be more opposite on a lot of things (mostly he wants to live a healthy, active, lifestyle and I love all things unhealthy and lazing around). somehow it works for us too.
I don’t even know what this blog said, you lost my attention after frappaccino…have to go to starbucks now, then i will reread!
We are pretty opposite here too- he is a computer GEEEEEK, and I… well, I am not.
Living in such a small town, I too have to give quite a bit… I wish we had more of the conviences of city life- the coffee shops, the cool privetly owned shops (or hell, even a BIG AWESOME TARGET)… but there are benefits of living here too, and I’m learning to love it. Most of the time!
Avelyn’s hair is getting so long! It makes her look so grown up!
Gorgeous photos! She’s definately a little girl no more baby there, and what a doll. I’m sure her Daddy is thrilled to have her tag along. Pretty soon there’ll be two of ’em….you may have to sucumb to the peer pressure and join the farm girl ranks! :)
Love the last shot!
Those curls are delicious. They make me want to have a girl someday. Until she’s in grade 7 and then I’ll regret saying this :)
Fantastic. Great post, girl!
It is all about give and take and it sounds like you two have found a great balance.
Avelyn gets cuter and cuter everyday. Charlie would love to put in an application for the role of first boyfriend.
What a great post! I love Avelyn’s little shirt and the pictures are fabulous, (especially the last one)! She’s growing up so fast!
gorgeous pictures!
That last photo is breath taking.
oh my god that hair! What a gorgeous photo!
The give and take of marriage and parenting is fun, no?
De-lurking to say those are GORGEOUS photos.
Oh my,you are really having fun with your new toy,aren’t you? Beautiful pictures,honey. Avelyn looks like a little farm girl with her gingham shirt and jeans.You and Steve complement each other very well.
2nd photo is so sweet. Love the country bumpkin shirt!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but I didn’t really have much to offer, as my old blog had been on the back burner and I didn’t want to feel like a creepy-creep. :-) I found you through Kelly’s blog notinaday.com/kelly. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know how beautiful these pictures are! Your daughter is so lovely!
I have a new blog now, so check it out. :-)
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