by Heather Lang
Plans change.
I once believed I was destined to become a marine biologist until I quickly realized that there were no large, salty bodies of water nearby. The idea of having superpowers to help large animals in distress felt like a fairy tale until reality hit, and I recognized I had no desire to spend an additional four to eleven years in school. Instead, I turned to drawing and doodling, using it as a way to focus while escaping reality. I created numerous illustrations of my dream life: a countryside home with a spacious wrap-around porch, surrounded by lush green grass and animal pastures, with no people for as far as I could see. Although the design of my dream house evolved over time, the underlying concept remained constant, which likely explains why architecture appealed to me so much. My father encouraged me to channel my love for creativity and drawing into becoming a landscape designer.
Ultimately, I earned an associate's degree in horticulture.
I had envisioned marrying young, settling down with a farmer, having an even number of children, and completing my family by the age of 24.
Straight out of college and before turning 21, I was fortunate enough to marry my high school sweetheart, who happened to be a farmer. We are now blessed with three wonderful, hardworking, family-oriented children. I vividly recall my 24th birthday when I frantically called my husband at work to announce, "It's my 24th birthday! How can this be?!" My husband, clearly confused, didn’t respond. As I paced back and forth, my coworkers overheard my meltdown, as I exclaimed, "I'm 24 and not pregnant! I was supposed to be DONE having kids, and we haven't even started!"
As fate would have it, I was 25 when our first child was born and 29 when our youngest arrived. Plans change.
I left my stable job to stay home with our kids and started a small in-home daycare. After a few years, I also launched my own decorating business, which filled my weekends. Running my own businesses enabled me to prioritize family time and be a more present partner on the farm.
My husband and I decided to involve our children in everything we did: being at the farm, helping out, attending events, and joining us for meetings and outings. This was how we bonded as a family, teaching us all to grow and work together. The kids learned the values of teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and thinking outside the box.
Farming is and always will be something to be treasured to us. It is more than big fields, and animals. It represents more than can be seen. As Terence Mann quoted in the movie Field of Dreams, “This field, this game: it’s a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.”
Dr. Archibald Graham is quoted saying, “This is my most special place in all the world. Once a place touches you like this, the wind never blows so cold again. You feel for it like it was your child.” I didn’t come from a farming background, but the moment I got a taste of the lifestyle, I knew that was what I wanted in life. I knew that was my destined plan.
They may have been referring to baseball, but the lessons heard in Field of Dreams can also be mirrored in our lives. The messages about taking a leap of faith, holding on to second chances, and embracing the unknown are to be cherished. We all have grand dreams we aspire to achieve, and at times, those dreams may seem larger than life, but keep reaching for those dreams, and you will find happiness.
Follow us on Instagram @ndpiggytales if you want to learn more about our journey through life.
Heather is the former NDFB District 7 Promotion and Education Committee member and is also a former American Farm Bureau Federation P&E member. She currently serves as the president of Burleigh County Farm Bureau. Heather and her husband, Lucas, raise animals and crops on a 5th generation farm near Bismarck.