We Interrupt This Marriage...

...For Hunting Season!

This quote hangs on our wall in our house.  Higher than most things hung on our walls as my really tall husband hung it.  For years, I've called myself a "hunting widow" this time of year.  But something hit me today.  Two of my dear friends are truly widows (too young, too tragic) and I feel like I dishonor them in some way by saying that.  So from now on, I will call myself a "hunting wife"!

This is my 24th season as a hunting wife.  And yes, I count the years before we were married.  Those were the years he trained me to be one!!

At first it was really hard.  I was young, insecure, and well, just plain stupid.  I thought he was leaving me.  It took me a long time to learn that he wasn't leaving me, he was going toward something. Something he has loved a whole lot longer than me - and that is a LONG time! Something that he is passionate about and REALLY good at.

Now I look forward to this time.  People always react with disbelief, or awe, or wonder when they find out how long we are apart while he guides (imagine how excited I was when I realized "What?  You can get paid to do this?!" - makes it WAY easier).  Yeah, three months is a long time.  Of course I miss him.  But this time is just a treasure.  I get a lot of projects done around the house (a page I took out of my mother-in-law's book - I don't redecorate whole rooms, but I get a lot done, nonetheless).  And this year is just the best - I'm in Denver!!

Our life really works for us.  We are independent, we are happy on our own, but we share our happiness with each other.  He taught me to have my own hobbies, interests, passions.  We have a lot of adventures together and apart - and lots to talk about in between.  It's not for everyone.  That I know for sure.  But the blessings of being with a hunter are many (and not in any particular order):

1. DELICIOUS meat.  Talk about happy, free range critter.  Can't get healthier!  And you're even luckier if your hunter knows how to cook.  Mine does and just YUM!
2. Someone who has more respect that anyone you'll meet.  For others, for animals, for nature, for the process, for rules, for all things God created!
3. They are the definition of happy.  He looks forward to this time of year all year long...if he's not hunting, he's preparing for hunting, fishing while he waits to hunt, watching shows about hunting, reading about hunting.  SOOOO happy ALL the time.
4. Loves bigger and loves deeper (I think that is a country song, but it's true).  When we are together, he is present and attentive and just amazing.  Spoils me rotten!  Which is a good lesson for me, so I do the same back to him!
5. Living with someone with more talent and creativity than anyone I know - he sews, he makes his own bows, guns, arrows, flies for fly fishing, reloads his own shells, he builds, he fixes, he takes the most amazing photos...here are just the last two he sent me:

If this doesn't say "respect", I don't know what does.  He took this picture of  his friends.

I love seeing the world through his eyes.

In case you hadn't noticed, I kinda like my guy.  I am sooo proud of him.  It took so much courage to leave corporate America and chase his dream.  He is very successful and I am so lucky to be on this ride with him.  I thank God every day for the love we share and the life we lead.  May it glorify Him!!

This is my favorite kind of selfie!

I mean - can you even!?!?