My husband and I were talking this weekend about how much our lives have changed over the last year. It was about this time last year that he flew from Ohio to Montana for a job interview. Who would have ever known we would be in Montana!
Basically, the conversation started because we decided to take a drive today, despite the rain, cold and clouds that have surrounded Glacier County all weekend. Rather than venturing to somewhere we had been before, we decided to go somewhere new. While on the internet a few weeks ago I found information about a "loop" that goes south, east and north through several Wildernesses and some beautiful parts of the state prior to looping through Glacier National Park. The entire loop is about 8 hours in driving time. This loop was supposed to be our camping trip this Memorial Day weekend, but has been postponed until we have some dry, warm, sunny weather : )
We decided to venture part way through the loop anyway towards Choteau. I've heard a lot about the area and was interested to see what they had. Also, there are some dino museums on the way there and I happen to have a little boy who loves dinosaurs! As we were driving, there was a part of the trip that my husband remembered from when he came to Montana a year ago for his interview. Thus, began the thinking and talking about the changes we've undergone in the last year.
My husband and I lived in Ohio our whole lives, in fact, we lived in the same county our whole lives...meeting in high school and never leaving. My husband grew up on a farm in the country and enjoyed a laid back, outdoors, country life. I grew up in the suburbs, always had neighbors, enjoyed dances, shopping at the mall and all that stuff that social girls do. I was NOT an outdoors girl. In fact, the first time I hiked in the woods was when my husband and I were dating. I remember seeing HUGE ant hills in the woods and being completely freaked out. The thought of camping in a tent in the woods with bugs, snakes and Lord know what else was a concept I was not about to embark upon. And I was happy with that.
My kids grew to love the outdoors as well. They actually enjoy feeding the horses, goats, cats, dogs, chickens, bunnies, etc on Nanu's farm. Cleaning stalls or laying bedding doesn't bother them either and my son was pretty good with a wheelbarrow from the time he was 3 years old. They love looking for eggs in the chicken coup, riding horses, bonfires, hiking, anything outdoors. I was completely outnumbered.
Then came the job offer in Browning, Montana. An Indian Reservation 2000 miles away from everything we knew and on the outskirts of Glacier National Park...probably the coldest place in the nation. NOT my idea of paradise. But, my husband loved the idea of living in Montana and it was a opportuntiy for our family that wasn't going to come every day. So, we packed up what would fit in our significantly smaller house, loaded up the UHaul and ventured west where the closest Wal-Mart or shopping mall was 2 hours away. We left our city of 30,000 people between Cleveland, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania for a town of about 3,000. I admit I was VERY skeptical. We were completely in uncharted territory...but we were in it together! I love my husband and I know how much this venture meant to him. I figured if I hated it, we'd stay for a year and move on, no big deal. I could handle a year of isolation : )
Although I homeschooled my children this past year, I did try to involve them in activities around town. We've made sure to attend town functions and have grown to love our small town life. It's awesome to walk into a bank where the teller remembers your daughter can't have pink or red suckers because of her red dye allergy or to be shopping at the grocery store and the man from the post office talks about the envelope your child addressed in crayon to Nanu that he couldn't read the numbers, but he'll send it out for you tomorrow if you write them down. It's nice to have people strike up a conversation for no reason at the store or at the park and amazing that the lady at the department store plays along with your kids' games and talks with them each time the come in about what they purchased the time before or activities they have going on. Yes, some people still regard us as "outsiders" and don't have any concept of "city life". But that's okay. I've learned to watch my "accent" (yes, they say I have one) and how to act/react to the way of life here. I've volunteered for activites in order to meet new people and help the community. There are some really great people here in Montana.
The kids had a tough time in the beginning moving away from family, friends, teachers and everything in life they knew. But they, too, have grown this past year. They still love being outdoors whether it's in the backyard, the playground or Glacier National Park. Well, you've heard the old addage, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's pretty much what I've had to do. I've traded in my shopping shoes for hiking boots and my purses for backpacks. And although I don't wear flip flops when it's snowing like I've seen some people here do, I've found that I've worn a sweatshirt for a coat in 30 degree weather when I would freeze in Ohio when it was 50. I've learned to appreciate what God has put before us...the mountains, the prairies, the sunsets and sunrises, the wildlife, the people.
I can now hike a mountain trail scattered with bugs, scat, dirt and wildlife without hesitation. I find that being outdoors on a sunny day is much more inviting that a shopping mall. (Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy going to the mall and shopping, but I've saved so much money being so far away!) I've learned to slow down and appreciate what's before me, a lifestyle I never fully understood or appreciated in years past.
Whether we're in Montana for a year, 10 years, 20 years or a lifetime, I will always treasure what I have learned here...about people, about nature, about myself. It's something you can't appreciate until you've experienced it. And I couldn't imagine how my life would be without it. I can't wait to see what lies ahead...
